ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Energy Efficiency

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures her Department has taken since 1997 to encourage energy efficiency in (a) the domestic sector, (b) the commercial sector, (c) the industrial sector and (d) the public sector; and how much Government financial support has been made available.

Michael Meacher: The Government have introduced a wide range of measures, including market incentives, financial assistance, legal obligations, and guidance and information, to encourage energy efficiency in all sectors of the economy. These include:
	the Energy Efficiency Commitment (EEC) on domestic energy supplies, from 2002 to 2005;
	the Climate Change Levy and Climate Change Agreements;
	the UK Emissions Trading Scheme;
	the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES)
	revised building regulations which require high energy efficiency standards;
	the Market Transformation programme;
	a wide range of measures to support combined heat and power (CHP);
	the Community Energy capital grant programme;
	substantial Government funding of the Energy Saving Trust and the Carbon Trust to promote and support energy efficiency in the domestic, public, industry and business sectors.
	The majority of DEFRA's financial support for energy efficiency measures is channelled through the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (now marketed as Warm Front), the Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme, the Energy Saving Trust and the Carbon Trust. The total funding made available by the Department and its predecessors to support and promote these efficiency programmes in each year since 1997 is set out in the table.
	
		Total funding for energy efficiency
		
			  £ million(1) 
		
		
			 1997–98 110.5 
			 1998–99 109.0 
			 1999–2000 112.0 
			 2000–2001 163.5 
			 2001–2002 224.0 
		
	
	(1) Includes funding for the Carbon Trust of £26.5 million from recycled Climate Change Levy receipts.

Eggs

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Lion Code of Practice and Lion Quality Mark in (a) reducing salmonella levels in egg production and (b) raising overall food safety standards; what reference was made to the Lion Quality Scheme in her Department's report entitled "Sustainable Food and Farming—Working Together"; and what plans she has to endorse the British Egg Industry Council's Lion Code of Practice for all eggs sold in the United Kingdom.

Elliot Morley: In the period since 1998 there has been a significant fall in human salmonellosis in Great Britain and in egg-associated salmonella outbreaks. Lion code producers can be proud of the investment they have made in the Lion Mark scheme, which includes vaccination of flocks against salmonella, good biosecurity measures, registration, and traceability and controls on storage times and temperature that go beyond statutory requirements. We warmly endorse the work they have done on this.
	The Sustainable Food and Farming report did not make specific mention of any sectors. The paper indicated where DEFRA and others are taking forward recommendations made by the Policy Commission on Farming and Food, and sought views on what should be done next. I hope that the egg industry will contribute to this exercise.

Dairy Industry

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to simplify the administration of milk quotas; and if she will make a statement on the benchmarking in the dairy industry.

Elliot Morley: The implementation and administration of the milk quota system is under continuous review. The new Dairy Produce Quotas Regulations, which entered into force on 31 March 2002, will reduce the administrative burden on the industry by removing unnecessary requirements, such as certain deadlines, and liberalising the provisions for the permanent transfer of quota without land.
	We support the use of benchmarking by the dairy sector as a useful tool in identifying and promulgating best practice. We have, for example, already supplied the Milk Development Council (MDC) with Farm Business Survey data for farms with dairy enterprises with a view to the MDC setting up on-line interactive data base which would allow dairy farmers to benchmark their businesses.

Dairy Industry

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proposals she has to encourage greater co-operation and communication between participants in the dairy supply chain arising from her Department's response to the Milk Task Force report published on 3 January.

Elliot Morley: We shall take every opportunity to encourage all parts of the dairy industry to take up the recommendations of the Milk Task Force to improve communications between one another—for example between supermarkets and their suppliers—and to increase co-operative and collaborative activity—for example between processing and production and between dairy farmers. But it for the industry itself to make progress in these important areas.

Fruit

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress is being made in negotiations to amend the EU marketing standard for apples and pears.

Elliot Morley: There have been no further discussions since my written reply of 5 March.

Red Cross

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what financial support her Department has given since 1 April 2000 to projects in the UK run by the British Red Cross in rural communities.

Alun Michael: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, my hon. Friend the Member for Wallasey (Angela Eagle) on 30 April 2002, Official Report, columns 609–10W.

Wood Imports

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proposals she has to introduce tariffs and labelling on wood imports.

Elliot Morley: At present we have no plans to introduce tariffs or labels on wood imports. Such controls have, however, been considered as part of a thorough examination of the pros and cons of a variety of courses of action designed to combat illegal logging and to promote the sustainable management of forest overseas.
	In the case of tariffs, we are using the current negotiations in the World Trade Organisation under the Doha development agenda to propose a reduction or elimination of tariffs on timber and wood products from sustainably managed sources. This would provide a positive incentive for owners of forests and those in the international timber trade.
	When considering mandatory labelling, we were mindful that any action would most likely contravene European Union rules on free trade. Instead we announced in July 2000 that all central Government Departments and agencies would actively seek to buy timber from sustainable and legal sources. Wood products and timber labelled under credible certification schemes will be accepted as meeting this requirement.
	We have taken the lead internationally in efforts to combat illegal logging and to promote the sustainable management of forests. We are currently working with partners in the timber trade, the environmental community and with Governments in the timber producing countries. For example, on 18 April the Governments of Indonesia and UK signed a Memorandum of Understanding committing the two parties to a range of actions to tackle forest law enforcement and governance in Indonesia and the import by UK of illegally logged forest products from Indonesia.
	At the forthcoming World Summit, we shall, of course, be aiming to secure further commitment and action on sustainable forest management.

Financial Support Schemes

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the financial support schemes sponsored by her Department and its agencies for (a) horticulture, (b) agriculture, (c) arboriculture, (d) fisheries, (e) pisciculture, (f) environmental projects and (g) environmental protection.

Elliot Morley: An outline of the work of the Department will be provided in the forthcoming departmental report, and information on individual schemes is available on our website. A detailed reply could be given only at disproportionate cost.

Sellafield

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether drinking water is extracted from the groundwater under Sellafield.

Margaret Beckett: The groundwater at Sellafield is not used for drinking water supplies.

Sellafield

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on what dates (a) Ministers and (b) officials in her Department held meetings with the Irish Government to discuss the British Nuclear Fuels plant at Sellafield between 7 June and 5 October 2001; where each meeting took place; which Ministers were involved in each meeting; and which Irish Government Departments were involved in each meeting.

Margaret Beckett: Apart from the meeting of UK Government officials and officials from Ireland's Department of Public Enterprise on 5 October (referred to in the answer I gave on 20 March 2002, Official Report, column 373W), no other meetings took place between the dates specified in the question.

Arable Farmers

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the Government are taking to ensure that there is parity of support for arable farmers across the UK.

Elliot Morley: Agriculture is a devolved responsibility in the United Kingdom. But support for the arable sector, like many others, is governed by the relevant Common Agriculture Policy regimes which set rates of aid and conditions applicable to all Member States.

Illegal Meat Imports

Phil Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action she is taking to prevent illegal meat imports.

Elliot Morley: We have taken a range of initiatives aimed at improving our ability to prevent and detect illegal imports of animal products. These initiatives have been co-ordinated by officials in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, but involve other departments such as HM Customs and Excise and the Food Standards Agency, and the local authorities who are responsible for controls at ports and airports. We have concentrated on raising public awareness of our import rules through our Embassies, and strengthening intelligence gathering and sharing to improve targeting of anti-smuggling measures. We also introduced new posters which are displayed at airports and ports to ensure that travellers are aware of the restrictions on what may be imported. On 28 March we published an action plan which is available in the House Libraries. This plan commits Government to a range of measures including completing a risk assessment of disease risks posed by illegal imports of meat. In addition we have enquired into the use of detector dogs and aim to carry out a pilot this summer. These actions are kept under constant review.

Pigs

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much post-weaning multisystematic wasting syndrome has added to the production costs of pig meat in the last 12 months.

Elliot Morley: Although no independent studies of the economic effects of this disease have been carried out, the economic consequences can be significant. When the disease is present on farm, the mortality rate for weaner pigs appears to increase from around 3 per cent.- 5 per cent. to 5 per cent.-20 per cent. At worst, a continuous 20 per cent. post-weaning mortality rate would increase costs by an estimated £11.00 per 95kg pig sold. This represents 10 per cent.-14 per cent. of the average sale price.
	In addition, the Meat and Livestock Commission estimates that some 300,000 pigs that would otherwise have reached slaughter weight have been lost to the disease. Based on this estimate, the loss to the pig industry is some £21 million at the farm gate, around 2.5 per cent. of total annual farm gate value.

Parliamentary Questions

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the reasons were for the delay in answering the question, Ref 288, tabled by the hon. Member for South Suffolk on 25 June 2001.

Elliot Morley: This question was overlooked by the Department during the demands of the foot and mouth crisis. I regret the delay.

Forestry Commission

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what funds exist to enable the Forestry Commission to assist employees with their council tax payments; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: The Forestry Commission has no funds which enable it to assist employees with their council tax payments. Forestry Commission employees can, however, apply for assistance from various benevolent funds if they are experiencing financial difficulties.

Forestry Commission

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many Forestry Commission employees are being assisted with the payment of council tax; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: The Forestry Commission does not assist any employee with their council tax payments.

Scottish Fishermen's Federation

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she last met representatives of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation.

Elliot Morley: I last met with representatives of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation on 17 April 2002.

Future of Farming and Food Commission

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the total level of funding required to implement the recommendations of the Policy Commission report on the Future of Farming and Food; and when she plans to begin implementing the report's recommendations.

Elliot Morley: The Policy Commission estimated that implementing its recommendations would cost approximately £500 million over three years. However, the cost of many of the recommendations would depend upon the precise way in which they were implemented.
	My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced on 26 March a series of early actions as a first step towards implementing the report. In the early autumn, after discussion with all of those with an interest in food, farming, the environment and rural areas, the Government will produce a Strategy for Sustainable Food and Farming in England. This will incorporate a definitive response to all of the Policy Commission's recommendations.

Flax

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what forms of financial assistance are available to farmers intending to grow flax; what assessment she has made of the levels of flax production in the UK; what percentage of agriculturally productive land was under flax in the last year for which figures are available; what steps her Department is taking to encourage flax production; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: Flax is eligible for aid under the Arable Area Payments Scheme (AAPS). Payments rates vary in different parts of the UK. In England the rate in 2001 was £270.88 per hectare. Aid is also payable on the tonnage of flax fibre produced by an authorised primary processor, the most recent rate being £55.67 per tonne.
	Flax production in the UK built up during the early 1990s before falling back again, peaking at just over 20,000 hectares in 1996. In 2001, AAPS aid was claimed for 4,847 hectares of flax in the UK out of a total AAPS claim of 4,511,374 hectares, flax representing 0.1 per cent. of arable agriculturally productive land. The Census total for all agricultural land in the UK, excluding common rough grazing, is 17,323,000 hectares. Flax therefore represents around 0.03 per cent. of all agriculturally productive land.
	The Government Industry Forum on Non-Food Crops, set up to evaluate opportunities for non-food crops and provide strategic advice to Government, has commissioned a case study on the potential for UK grown fibre crops in composite materials. We expect this report to be published in the summer.

Welfare of Laying Hens Directive

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the proposed date of implementation of European Directives on the Welfare of Laying Hens.

Elliot Morley: A statutory instrument to implement in England Directive 99/74/EC on the Welfare of Laying Hens was laid before Parliament on Wednesday 1 May.
	Debates will take place in both Houses of Parliament soon.

Animal Diseases

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the impact of (a) the reopening of livestock markets and (b) other increased animal movements on the incidence of TB and other animal diseases.

Elliot Morley: As yet we do not have enough data to enable an analysis of what part the reopening of markets and resumption of livestock movement has played in the number of incidents of bovine TB disclosed in the first quarter of this year. We will continue to monitor the position carefully with the independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB to produce an analysis when sufficient data are available. The chief veterinary officer has issued general advice to farmers on assessing disease risk when buying in animals. This is contained in the leaflets "Golden Rules for a Healthy Herd" and "Golden Rules for a Healthy Flock".

Animal Diseases

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what contingency plan her Department has to deal with two or more separate animal disease epidemics at the same time; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 2 May 2002
	This Department has a range of both legislation and operational procedures in place in order to deal with animal disease epidemics. The Interim Foot and Mouth Contingency Plan provides an operational framework for a response to one or more concurrent outbreaks of disease. My officials are working on these contingency arrangements to ensure a co-ordinated inter-agency approach to disease outbreaks and one that fully involves stakeholders.

Animal Diseases

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much compensation has been (a) allotted and (b) paid for bovine TB for (i) slaughtering and (ii) restriction of movement of cattle in each year since 1980.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 2 May 2002
	The compensation paid for cattle slaughtered to control bovine TB in each year since 1980 is set out in the table. No compensation is paid because of movement restrictions.
	The compensation rate was changed on 26 August 1998 from 75 per cent. of limited value to full market value of the animals.
	
		
			 Year Amount (£) 
		
		
			 1980 289,446 
			 1981 365,227 
			 1982 250,782 
			 1983 295,469 
			 1984 284,613 
			 1985 337,806 
			 1986 310,399 
			 1987 525,447 
			 1988 368,158 
			 1989 584,205 
			 1990 1,104,259 
			 1991 678,916 
			 1992 683,831 
			 1993 2,081,436 
			 1994 2,019,911 
			 1995 1,988,820 
			 1996 2,275,481 
			 1997 2,386,029 
			 1998 3,605,242 
			 1999 5,770,983 
			 2000 7,307,797 
			 2001 7,074,125

Silk Stream Flood Defence Project

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on progress with the Silk Stream Flood Defence project in the Hendon constituency.

Elliot Morley: Operational responsibility for flood measures rests with the local operating authorities, normally the Environment Agency (EA) and local councils, who decide which projects to promote and their timing. I understand that the EA has recently reviewed the extent of their flood alleviation proposals for the Silk Stream and the London borough of Harrow is due to consider the revised scope of the proposals for planning purposes by the end of May. The EA will then be submitting an application for grant to DEFRA which will be considered against our normal economic, technical and environmental criteria and priority score arrangements. Subject to all approvals and contributions being in place, the EA plan to commence works in summer 2003.

Veterinary Service

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of private veterinary surgeons have received training for each notifiable disease from her Department and its predecessors in the last five years.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 7 May 2002
	Private Veterinarians are appointed as Local Veterinary Inspectors (LVIs) by the Department in order to carry out specific functions.
	Part of the appointment process involves departmental training in those areas to which the appointment relates. The objectives of such training are to improve the ability and performance of the LVI in carrying out work for the Department and to provide motivation to achieve and maintain satisfactory standards.
	Following a successful assessment of the trainee's suitability a temporary appointment of six months will be established. During this period an assessment of the officers' competence will be made. Satisfactory assessment leads to a full appointment.
	It is the responsibility of the Department to maintain a level of training suitable for the LVI to perform his or her functions. Training is complemented with written instructions, newsletters and practice liaison meetings during which new issues and instructions are discussed. The department's official journal of the SVS—State Veterinary Journal—is published and distributed to LVI practices bi-annually. These publications have included a series of articles on notifiable diseases. All LVI's have access to a departmental veterinary officer 24 hours a day 365 days a year.

Foot and Mouth

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will publish her Department's strategy for coping with a new outbreak of foot and mouth.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 7 May 2002
	The Interim Foot and Mouth Disease Contingency Plan was placed on DEFRA's website for consultation on 12 March 2002. It codifies the operational response regime that was developed during the last outbreak and as such forms the basis for any future response to a new disease outbreak. It is however work in progress and will be reviewed to take account of any recommendations made when the official independent inquiries report.

Dangerous Dogs Act

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost to the taxpayer of keeping dogs under the provisions of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 has been in the last 12 months.

Elliot Morley: There are no centralised records of figures or costs of dogs held, by all police forces, under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (as amended). However the Metropolitan police, who hold the largest number of dogs under the 1991 Act, have informed us that the cost for holding such dogs in their area for the last 12 months was £280,030.10.

Dangerous Dogs Act

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average length of time dogs have been held by the police under the provisions of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 was.

Elliot Morley: There are no centralised records of figures or costs of dogs held, by all police forces, under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (as amended). However, the Metropolitan police, who hold the largest number of dogs under the 1991 Act, have informed us that the average length of time for a dog to be held in their area since 1991 is 418 days, but for the one year 2001–02 the average was 51 days.

Dangerous Dogs Act

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to review the terms of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

Elliot Morley: There are no plans to review the 1991 Act.

Dangerous Dogs Act

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many dogs are held by the Metropolitan police service under the provisions of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

Elliot Morley: The Metropolitan police are currently holding 34 dogs under the 1991 Act.

Dangerous Dogs Act

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what has been the total cost of keeping dogs under the provisions of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

Elliot Morley: There are no centralised records of figures or costs of dogs held, by all police forces, under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (as amended). However, the Metropolitan police, who hold the largest number of dogs under the 1991 Act, have informed us that the total cost within the Metropolitan police of holding dogs under the 1991 Act since it came into force is £4,567,692.36.

Scrapie

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she intends to introduce a compensation scheme for rams devalued owing to culling under the National Scrapie Plan.

Elliot Morley: Participation in the National Scrapie Plan is voluntary, and at present it is only those rams which are most susceptible to scrapie which have to be removed from the breeding flock (either by slaughter or castration). It is normal farming practice to remove rams that are not required for breeding, and the plan allows sheep farmers to take susceptibility to scrapie into account in this process. The market provides a return for rams that are removed, and the Government have no plans for a subsidy to top up this return. Decisions on the financial arrangements for any future schemes under the National Scrapie Plan will be taken in full consultation with stakeholders.

Scrapie

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has for the future funding of the National Scrapie Plan.

Elliot Morley: The National Scrapie Plan is a long- term programme for the eradication of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies from sheep in Great Britain. Funding for future years of the plan will be finalised under the normal spending review process.

Radioactive Waste

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received in respect of proposals to change the planning system as they refer to radioactive waste disposal.

Sally Keeble: I have been asked to reply.
	My Department invited views on the proposals to give Parliament an opportunity to approve in principle major infrastructure projects including radioactive waste disposal schemes set out in the consultation paper "New Parliamentary Procedures for Processing Major Infrastructure Projects". Of some 400 responses, 22 referred to radioactive waste disposal. We are currently considering all the replies received in response to the consultation paper.
	There were no similar invitations to comment on radioactive waste disposal in the Planning Green Paper: "Planning: Delivering a Fundamental Change" nor the other consultation papers: "Possible Changes to the Use Classes Order and Temporary Uses Provisions—A Consultation, Compulsory Purchase and Compensation: the Government's Proposals for Change", and "Planning Obligations: Delivering a Fundamental Change".
	All the proposals in the Planning Green Paper and the consultation papers apply to England.

PRIME MINISTER

Commonwealth Games

Kate Hoey: To ask the Prime Minister what events he plans to attend during the Commonwealth games in Manchester.

Tony Blair: At present, I expect to attend both the opening and closing ceremonies of the Commonwealth games.

Performance and Innovation Unit

Kevin Hughes: To ask the Prime Minister what additional projects are planned for the Performance and Innovation Unit; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: I have asked the Performance and Innovation Unit (PIU) to carry out a project examining the development of Electronic Networks in the UK over the next decade.
	The project will look at predicted technology and market developments; the importance of Electronic Networks to UK productivity and growth and the regulatory challenges for the next decade. The output of the project will be a report to Government which will assist with the setting of future Government policy and approach, and will contribute to strategic thinking for the new regulator Ofcom.
	Responsibility for the current performance, development and economic impact of UK Electronic Networks already lies with groups including the DTI, Oftel, the Office of the e-Envoy, HM Treasury, the Broadband Stakeholders Group and those involved in the Digital TV Action Plan. The PIU has been asked to take a long-term strategic view to complement this existing body of work.
	My hon. Friend the Minister for E-Commerce and Competitiveness at the DTI will be the Sponsor Minister for the project.
	The scoping note for the project is available on the PIU website, www.piu.gov.uk. The PIU aims to complete its study by summer 2002.

Delivery Unit

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 28 February 2002, Official Report, column 1450W, on the No. 10 Delivery Unit, if he will list the names of the full-time and part-time civil servants employed in the No. 10 Delivery Unit working in the areas of (a) transport, (b) health, (c) crime and asylum and (d) education.

Tony Blair: The Delivery Unit reports to me under the day-to-day supervision of the Minister for the Cabinet Office, Lord Macdonald, and is headed by Professor Michael Barber.
	Professor Barber is supported in his work across the key areas of public service: health; education; crime and asylum and transport, by the Deputy Head of the unit, William Jordan, and team leaders, Liz Lawrence, Adrian Masters, Tony O'Connor, Rosemary Scully and Jenny Wright.
	The unit is further staffed by a team with experience of delivery, drawn from the public and private sectors.

Security Services Employees

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister how many applications were referred by the Cabinet Secretary to the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments in respect of employees or former employees of (a) MI5, (b) MI6 and (c) GCHQ in each year from 1 May 1997.

Tony Blair: None. The Advisory Committee on Business Appointments considers applications from the most senior Crown servants who wish to take up outside appointments within two years of leaving the service. It is independent and the Cabinet Secretary has no role in referring these applications to it.
	The committee is serviced by its own secretariat and it gives its advice directly to me, or, if the applicant is a diplomat or in MI6, to the Foreign Secretary. Since 1 May 1997 until the end of the reporting year on 31 March 2002, the committee has considered no applications from MI5 or GCHQ, and two (one in 1998 and one earlier this year) from MI6.
	Business appointment applications from staff below the most senior levels are dealt with by the Department itself, after Cabinet Office advice if appropriate under the rules. However, the rules make provision, exceptionally, for any application to be referred to the advisory committee if the Head of the Home civil service and the departmental Minister so agree. In the period concerned there have been no such cases in MI5, MI6 or GCHQ.

WALES

Voting Age

Matthew Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on reducing the minimum voting age in elections to the National Assembly for Wales to 16 years.

Paul Murphy: None. We have no plans to reduce the voting age.

Public Sector Workers (Recruitment)

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues about recruitment of public sector workers by Government Departments in Wales.

Don Touhig: Neither my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State nor I have had any recent discussions. We are always available to meet colleagues on this or other matters.

Poverty

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues and the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales about integrated policies to tackle poverty in Wales.

Don Touhig: I have regular discussions with ministerial colleagues and the First Minister about a range of issues, including poverty in Wales, and ways to tackle it.

Euro

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what evaluation his Department has made of Wales' preparations for possible UK adoption of the euro.

Paul Murphy: Wales has been preparing for the arrival of the euro since 1998 when the old Welsh Office set up the Euro Task Force for Wales to make Welsh businesses aware of the issues which might affect them following the introduction of the euro in the 12 countries of the eurozone.
	The Task Force has been disseminating information to businesses across Wales in a number of ways including conferences, exhibitions, a telephone helpline, website and leaflets.

Manufacturing Employment

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on changes in manufacturing employment in Wales in the past 12 months.

Paul Murphy: I meet regularly with the First Minister and other ministerial colleagues to discuss a range of issues including manufacturing employment in Wales.
	The Government recognise it is a particularly tough time for manufacturers in the UK, due to the slowdown in world economy and weakness of the euro. However, these problems are not confined to the UK or in particular, to Wales. I am pleased to note that Wales is posting the fastest fall in unemployment of any region or country in the UK.

Renewable Energy

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the Department for Trade and Industry regarding renewable energy production in Wales.

Don Touhig: I meet my ministerial colleagues at the Department of Trade and Industry regularly to discuss a range of issues, including energy production in Wales.
	My hon. Friend the Chancellor's Budget announcements contained a number of incentives for renewable energy production.
	They include: enhanced capital allowances for business investment in energy saving technologies; exemption from the Climate Change Levy for Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and coal mine methane projects; the first economy wide-emissions trading scheme; a fuel duty differential for sulphur free petrol and diesel; a fuel duty exemption for hydrogen; lower duty for biodiesel; and a commitment to review the potential use of economic instruments to tackle household energy efficiency.

Renewable Energy

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the National Assembly for Wales to ensure that Wales plays its part in achieving the UK Government's target to produce 10 per cent. of the UK's energy from renewable sources by 2010.

Paul Murphy: I meet regularly with my ministerial colleagues to discuss a range of issues including renewable energy.
	The overall target, for the UK, of electricity generated from renewable sources by 2010 is 10 per cent.
	I am pleased to note that the Assembly's Economic Development Committee has recently launched a consultation paper on renewable energy. The committee will propose targets, for Wales, for both electricity production and heat production from renewable sources by 2010 and 2020, in the light of the responses to the consultation. These proposals will inform the National Assembly's development of a renewable policy for Wales.
	I look forward to receiving the committee's final report.

Student Debt

Mark Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on student debt in Wales.

Don Touhig: I meet regularly with colleagues to discuss a range of issues, including student finance.

Health Spending

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with his ministerial colleagues regarding the audit body proposed to oversee health spending in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Don Touhig: My right hon. Friend has discussed this matter with both the Assembly First Minister and my right hon. Friend the Member for Darlington. I have also discussed it with the Assembly Secretary for Health and Social Services.
	The Commission for Health and Improvement (CHI) and the Audit Commission are England and Wales bodies. The First Minister and the Assembly Cabinet are content with the proposals in principle. It will be necessary to make sure that this works properly and effectively for Wales, and these detailed issues will be addressed during the framing of the necessary legislation.

Health Spending

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales about the impact of the Budget on health spending in Wales.

Don Touhig: My right hon. Friend and I have spoken with the Assembly First Minister and with the Health Secretary about the increase to the Welsh Block consequential on the increases in Government spending on health announced in the recent Budget.
	The resulting amount for the Block was £1.8 billion over the next five years and I am pleased to say that the Assembly intends to spend the full amount on health.

Film Industry

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he is having with the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales on measures to promote the film industry in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Don Touhig: I have regular meetings with colleagues to discuss a range of issues, including the promotion of the Welsh film industry.

Health and Social Care (Monmouth)

Huw Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will meet the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales to discuss the proposed health and social care facility for Monmouth.

Don Touhig: My right hon. Friend and I discuss health issues on a regular basis with the First Minister and the Health and Social Care Minister on a regular basis.
	I am aware that the proposed health and social care joint facility project (Monnow Court) is a collaboration between the local authority, Gwent NHS Trust, Gwent HA, LHG, CHC and the voluntary sector.

Social Services

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales regarding improvements in the provision of social services in Wales.

Don Touhig: My right hon. Friend has regular discussions with the First Minister on a range of matters, including improvements in the provision of social services in Wales.

European Union (Funding)

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the value in 2001–02 of (a) EU structural funding and agricultural support payments in Wales and (b) the share of the UK's EU contribution that is represented by the Welsh share of UK GDP.

Paul Murphy: In 2001–02 structural fund payments in Wales amounted to £146 million and agricultural support payments amounted to £155 million.

Tourism

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in the use of the cultural and heritage assets of Wales in encouraging inbound tourism.

Paul Murphy: I meet regularly with my ministerial colleagues to discuss a range of issues including the tourism industry in Wales.
	I am pleased to note that to help encourage tourists to visit Wales and enable them to make the most of Wales' unique historical and cultural assets, the Wales Tourist Board is working with a range of partners to develop a Cultural Tourism Strategy for Wales. This strategy will help visitors access and experience the various aspects of Welsh culture.

Pensioners (Transport Use)

Donald Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has held with the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales about the use of transport by pensioners in Wales.

Paul Murphy: I regularly meet the First Minister and discuss a variety of issues relating to transport in Wales.
	From April 2001, the Assembly introduced free bus passes and discounts of at least 50 per cent. on bus fares for pensioners (men aged 65 and over, and women aged 60 and over) and disabled people.
	From April 2002 the Assembly introduced free bus travel for pensioners and disabled people.
	In both cases the Assembly is supporting the measures by funding local authorities through the revenue settlement.
	The Assembly shares the UK Government's commitment to eradicate the inequality in the concessions ages for men and women at the earliest opportunity, and a Bill is proceeding through Parliament to enable that policy to be implemented throughout England and Wales.

Small Businesses

Jackie Lawrence: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the Treasury about fiscal measures to assist small businesses in Wales.

Paul Murphy: I meet regularly with Cabinet colleagues, including the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to discuss a wide range of issues, including small businesses.
	The Chancellor's recent Budget announcement included a number of fiscal measures to support small businesses at every stage. These include simplification of VAT for small businesses by increasing the VAT registration threshold, extending optional flat rate scheme and further reforms of the VAT annual accounting scheme.

Small Businesses

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the Treasury about measures to assist small businesses in Wales.

Paul Murphy: I meet regularly with Cabinet colleagues, including the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to discuss a wide range of issues, including small businesses.
	The Chancellor's recent Budget announcement included a number of fiscal measures to support small businesses at every stage. These include a reduction in the corporation tax starting rate from 10 per cent. to zero, helping small businesses throughout the UK and Wales to continue to flourish and prosper.

Small Businesses

Betty Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer about measures to assist small businesses in Wales.

Paul Murphy: I meet regularly with Cabinet colleagues, including the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to discuss a wide range of issues, including small businesses.
	The Chancellor's recent Budget announcement included a number of fiscal measures to support small businesses at every stage. These include Research and Development tax credit, benefiting 50 large firms in Wales.

Small and Medium Enterprises

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the encouragement of small and medium enterprises in Wales.

Paul Murphy: The Chancellor's recent Budget announcement included a number of fiscal measures to support SMEs at every stage. These include measures to promote enterprise in disadvantaged communities in Wales with stamp duty relief and Community Investment Tax Credit.

Dentistry

Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had on provision of NHS dental treatment in Wales.

Paul Murphy: I have regular meetings with the First Minister and the Health and Social Services Minister to discuss the NHS and other health matters.

Brussels (Welsh Representation)

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with colleagues in the National Assembly in relation to official Welsh representation in Brussels.

Paul Murphy: I meet regularly with my ministerial colleagues to discuss a range of issues including representation of Wales in Europe. However, the issue of official Welsh representation in Brussels is entirely an internal matter for the Assembly.
	I am pleased to note that the Assembly Executive recognises the importance of Wales having a strong voice in Europe and that it plans to clarify who represents Wales in Brussels—thereby strengthening its own representation in this region.

Devolution

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the devolution settlement.

Paul Murphy: The devolution settlement continues to work well, serving the interests of people both in Wales and the rest of the UK.

Climate Change Levy

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues about the impact of the climate change levy on manufacturing employment in Wales.

Paul Murphy: I meet regularly with Cabinet colleagues and discuss a wide range of issues, including the impact of the climate change levy on manufacturing employment.
	Part of the Government's strategy of encouraging energy efficiency through the Climate Change Levy (CCL) has been to move the burden of tax from 'goods' such as jobs to 'bads' such as pollution. The Government is committed to making Britain one of the most competitive environments for business in the world, which is demonstrated, for example, by the fact that the overall tax burden in the UK is much lower than the EU average. It is also important to consider the less-easily quantifiable costs on operating a business, such as employment regulation.
	The climate change levy is small in proportion to total energy costs, and energy costs themselves are only a small proportion of total business costs. All sectors can reduce the impact of the levy on their costs by improving energy efficiency, and taking advantage of the available incentives.

Young People

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on what subjects and on which dates his Department has recently consulted organisations representing young people; and if he will list such organisations.

Paul Murphy: None, the nature of its functions means that the Wales Office undertakes very few consultations. When it does so, though, my Department will take account of the new core principles for the involvement of children and young people published by my hon. Friend the Minister for Young People in November 2001.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Departmental Policies

James Purnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what impact her Department's policies have had on the Stalybridge and Hyde constituency since 1997.

Ivan Lewis: holding answer 7 May 2002
	The information requested has been placed in the Libraries.

Private Finance Initiative

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the (a) private finance initiative and (b) public private partnership projects which have been delayed.

Ivan Lewis: The Public Private Partnership for which this Department is responsible has not been delayed.

Better Quality Service Programme

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which of the services of her Department have not been reviewed under the Better Quality Services Initiative; and when they will be reviewed.

Ivan Lewis: The review of the Department's activities and services under the Better Quality Service Programme started in 1999 and is reflected in its Spending Review 2000 Service Delivery Agreement, which requires all its activities t be reviewed by 2004. We are on course to meet this target: progress is reported in the Department's Annual Report. There are four more Quinquennial reviews of the Department's Non-Departmental Public Bodies to be carried out in the next two years.

Building Projects

Jane Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the building projects under construction; and what coolant will be used for the building services water chilling system for such projects.

Ivan Lewis: Within my Department there are no current building projects under construction, hence there is no further information to provide.

National Insurance Costs

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what her estimate is of the cost in the next 12 months of the budget changes to employers' national insurance contributions to (a) her Department, (b) agencies of her Department, (c) local government carrying out functions within the responsibility of her Department and (d) higher education.

Ivan Lewis: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 29 April 2002 by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Official Report column 544.

Special Educational Needs

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many special needs places are available in special schools in England and Wales; and what the equivalent figure was in 1997.

Ivan Lewis: Information on the number of special needs places available in special schools is not collected.
	The numbers of pupils on roll in maintained and non-maintained special schools in January 1997 and 2001 were 98,249 and 95,598 respectively. This represents 1.2 per cent. of all pupils in 1997 and 1.1 per cent. in 2001.
	For information on Welsh special schools I refer the hon. Member to the National Assembly for Wales.

Red Cross

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what financial support her Department has given since 1 April 2000 to projects run by the British Red Cross.

Ivan Lewis: holding answer 26 April 2002
	I refer to the Home Office answer to this question on 30 April 2002, Official Report, column 609W.

Disabled Access

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what adjustments have been made to her Department's premises following the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995; and what the cost of these adjustments was as a proportion of her Department's budget.

Ivan Lewis: holding answer 29 April 2002
	Separate records are not kept on specific changes or costs of modifications to the Department's premises to meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. Expenditure on statutory and beneficial "reasonable adjustments" is subsumed within on-going works programmes covering a wide range of building maintenance and improvement projects.

Work-based Training

Dave Watts: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what plans she has to compensate families who lose benefits when their child undertakes vocational work-based training;
	(2)  what plans the Government have to protect the level of child maintenance of families whose children take the work-placed training option;
	(3)  if the Government will increase the level of financial support to families whose children take work-placed training.

Ivan Lewis: We have no plans at present to change the arrangements for supporting young people engaged in work-based training, and their families.

Private Tuition

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what plans she has to introduce a system of inspection for the private tuition industry; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what plans she has to regulate the private tuition industry; and if she will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: We have no plans to regulate private tuition. Employment agencies and businesses, including those that supply private tutors, are already regulated by the Employment Agencies Act 1973 and associated Regulations, which are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

Henry Box School

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what targets were agreed by Henry Box school, Oxfordshire, at the time of its acquisition of specialist status; and which have not yet been achieved.

Stephen Timms: The Henry Box school has been operating as a language college since September 2001. The information requested is being collated. I will therefore write to the hon. Member as soon as possible giving a full reply to the question raised.

Ofsted Reports

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the reports she expects Ofsted to publish in the next six months.

Stephen Timms: This is a matter for HM Chief Inspector of Schools. I have therefore asked David Bell to write to the hon. Member and to place a copy of his letter in the Library.

Teacher Work Load

Ann Keen: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the School Teachers' Review Body's special review of approaches to reducing teacher work load.

Stephen Timms: The report I commissioned from the School Teachers' Review Body (STRB) on approaches to reducing teacher work load has been laid before Parliament and is available in the Vote Office. I am grateful to the chair and members of the review body for their work on this important report.
	I asked the review body to produce this report because I want to make sure teachers have the time and support to do what they do best—teach. I welcome the way in which the report has been produced, with careful analysis of all the evidence and opinions from the teaching profession and beyond.
	The report proposes changes that would amount to a major package of reform with substantial implications for both Government and the teaching profession. I shall now hold a full consultation, running until 3 July. In addition, I shall be looking to the School Workforce Remodelling Working Party that I set up in January to consider carefully the report and give me its views. I want to hear every side of the debate before we move forward and I consult further on practical measures.

DEFENCE

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the development of unmanned aerial vehicles.

Lewis Moonie: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) on 26 February 2002, Official Report, columns 1137–38W.

Army Pensions

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the latest estimate is of the number of cases affected by the mistaken taxing of certain categories of Army pensions; and what he estimates the costs of putting this right will be.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 27 February 2002
	As regards the numbers of individuals affected by the tax error, our latest assessment remains that which I gave to the hon. Member on 26 February 2002, Official Report, columns 1136–37W. Our latest estimate of the cost to refund affected individuals similarly remains that which I gave to the hon. Member on 11 February 2002, Official Report, columns 8–9.

Complaints

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many complaints were registered against his Department and its predecessor Departments in (a) 1990 to 1996 and (b) 1997 to 2002; how many are current; and what proportion were (i) taken up and (ii) upheld by the parliamentary ombudsman in those periods.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 22 April 2002
	Information on the total number of complaints registered against the Ministry of Defence is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	Information on complaints submitted to the parliamentary ombudsman is contained in the ombudsman's annual reports, copies of which are available in the Library of the House or on the ombudsman's website at www.ombudsman.org.uk.

Defence Expenditure

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much of the £950 million provided for defence since 11 September 2001 has been spent.

Geoff Hoon: The additions to the defence budget in 2001–02 from the reserve cover a number of heads, including the £252 million for the campaign against international terrorism. Final outturn figures for expenditure in 2001–02 are not yet available, but they are expected to show that most of the sum to which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor referred in his Budget speech has been spent in that year.

A400M

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when aircraft designs for the A400M will be finalised; when contracts for the A400M will be signed off; when production of the A400M will start; and if he will make a statement on the A400M.

Lewis Moonie: The contract for the development and production of the A400M was signed on 18 December 2001, but its activation was subject to the German Government obtaining Bundestag funding approval. This was achieved in late March. The participating nations are in the process of implementing a jointly agreed mechanism designed to activate the contract at the earliest opportunity.
	We expect that design work on the A400M will be completed by mid 2005. However, the progressive completion of the design will allow the manufacture of some major components to begin in 2004. Assembly of the first A400M aircraft is expected to begin in 2006.

Correspondence

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  whether personal letters from lords-lieutenant to him are (a) treated officially and (b) delegated to junior ministers;
	(2)  if he will make a statement with regard to his policy on personally replying to letters from (a) privy councillors, (b) other hon. Members, (c) royalty, (d) lords- lieutenant and (e) others;
	(3)  if it is his policy to reply personally to letters addressed personally to him by lords-lieutenant of counties.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 25 April 2002
	It is common practice for the Secretary of State for Defence to respond to letters addressed personally to him from members of the royal family and Members of Parliament who are fellow Privy Councillors. Letters from other hon. Members would normally be delegated to the responsible junior Minister for reply, although there will be some exceptions to this rule. Similarly, letters from Her Majesty's lords-lieutenant would normally be delegated to the responsible junior Minister or his private secretary. Letters from others will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Most will receive an official response, but some will receive a response from a Minister or one of his private secretaries.

Defence Medical Services

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with front-line commanders about the effects of medical limitations on their ability to deploy troops with particular reference to manning levels in the Defence Medical Services.

Lewis Moonie: The provision of appropriate levels of medical support to British forces is an integral element of operational planning. I am briefed regularly on operational issues.

Defence Medical Services

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will (a) complete and (b) publish the Medical Manning and Retention Review; which outside organisation and individuals he will consult in the preparation of the review; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 2 May 2002
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 25 April 2002, Official Report, column 425W. The outcome of the review will be announced in due course. The review team includes an independent human resources consultant and we are also consulting the NHS, which is providing an adviser to the team, the Department of Health, the Office of Manpower Economics, the British Medical Association and the British Dental Association.

Pensions

John MacDougall: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many widows of Royal Air Force service men have been affected by his Department's error in deducting tax wrongly from their pensions;
	(2)  how many (a) disabled ex-service men and (b) disabled ex-service women in the Royal Air Force have been affected by his Department's error in deducting tax wrongly from their pensions.
	(3)  how many widows of Royal Navy servicemen have been affected by his Department's error in deducting tax wrongly from their pensions;
	(4)  how many disabled ex-service (a) men and (b) women formerly in the Royal Navy have been affected by his Department's error in deducting tax wrongly from their pensions;
	(5)  what the total cost will be of the refund to disabled ex-servicemen formerly in the RAF and Royal Navy because of the error made by his Department in deducting tax wrongly from their pensions;
	(6)  for how many years his Department has known about its error in deducting tax from the pensions of disabled ex-servicemen formerly in (a) the Royal Navy and (b) the Royal Air Force.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 7 May 2002
	The potential for the issue of mistaken taxation of service invaliding pensions to apply to the Royal Navy and RAF as well as the Army was identified only very recently. Work is continuing to identify the extent of the error and I am therefore unable at present to provide numbers of affected RN and RAF pensioners. The total cost of the tax refunds to be paid will not be known until this work has been completed. No widow(er)s are directly affected as all widow(er)s' pensions under the Armed Forces Pension Scheme are taxable, regardless of whether their spouse was in receipt of an attributable pension. Some may, however, be affected indirectly as beneficiaries of a pensioner's will.

Overnight Accommodation

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence under what regulations it is permissible for non-service personnel to be given overnight accommodation at MOD bases; who has to agree to the stay; what notice has to be given; what notification must be given to security services; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: Certain non-service personnel may be accommodated on Ministry of Defence bases in view of their duties or connection with the MOD, by authority of Defence Council Instructions. Commanding officers also have discretion to allow personnel to invite non-service personnel to stay in MOD accommodation, and to apply suitable rules. No requirements for periods of notice, or notification to the security services, are laid down centrally. Guests are registered with the MOD base authorities, generally by signing in at guardrooms or reception points.

Terrorism

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to implement the recommendations of the second report of the Defence Committee, HC 348, on the threat from terrorism.

Geoff Hoon: The Government's response to the Committee's report was published on 7 March 2002 (HC 667). Work on the "New Chapter" to the Strategic Defence review is continuing. I expect to be in a position to publish some conclusions in the late spring or early summer.

Nuclear Weapons Tests (Compensation)

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on compensation claims made by former service men in respect of exposure to radiation in atmospheric nuclear weapons tests.

Lewis Moonie: We have every confidence in the independent studies carried out by the National Radiological Protection Board and the Imperial Cancer Research Fund that showed veterans' participation in the nuclear test programme has not had a detectable effect on their expectation of life, or on their risk of developing cancer or other fatal diseases. Consequently grounds do not exist for compensation to be paid to British nuclear test veterans or their surviving spouses and families. There are no plans to review this position.

Western European Union

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with the President of the Western European Union; and what issues were discussed.

Geoff Hoon: None.

Private Gray

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 24 April 2002, Official Report, column 260W, when his Department was informed by Surrey police of the re-opening of the investigation into Private Gray's death; what the terms of the investigation are; what his Department's involvement in the investigation is; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: Surrey police informed the Ministry of Defence of their intention to reinvestigate the death of Private Gray on 30 April 2002. This followed their meeting with the family of Private Gray the previous day. The terms of the investigation are a matter for the Surrey police, who have stated that no further information will be released until their inquiries are complete. The Surrey police investigation team is fully independent of the MOD, although the Army will co-operate fully with the investigation as required.

War Cemeteries

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 5 March 2002, to the hon. Member for Tewkesbury (Mr. Robertson), Official Report, column 166W, on war cemeteries, if he will place in the Library copies of the correspondence between the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the French Ministry of the Interior concerning plans to build on a war cemetery for a new Paris airport.

Lewis Moonie: The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is an independent Commonwealth organisation governed by Royal Charter. As it is not a British Government Department I am unable to place copies of correspondence between the Commission and the French Government in the Library.

Afghanistan

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans there are to use SHAPE military experts for planning a Turkish-led ISAF in Kabul.

Geoff Hoon: There are no such plans.

Afghanistan

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from his (a) Turkish and (b) EU counterparts regarding the possibility of using SHAPE's military experts for planning a Turkish-led ISAF; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: I have not receive any representations from my Turkish or EU counterparts on this subject.
	I am not aware of any recent requests from Turkey for NATO operational planning assistance, nor of this prospect having been raised in EU circles. However, should a request be received for planning support, this would be considered on its merits.

Afghanistan

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what conditions need to be met by his Department prior to Turkey agreeing to lead ISAF in Kabul.

Geoff Hoon: Turkey formally announced on 29 April its willingness to take over the leadership of the ISAF. Wide-ranging discussions have taken place, and continue, between Turkey, the US, the UK and others on the practical steps that will be needed to implement this decision. These include the support that may be needed from the UK, as the current lead nation, before during and after the handover of responsibility to Turkey.

Fluorescent Particle Trials

Paul Tyler: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 29 April 2002, Official Report, columns 535–36W, on fluorescent particle trials, if he will place in the Library the conclusions of the subsequent defence trials involving simulant organisms referred to; what assessment he has made of the implications of the impact of the trials on human health; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 7 May 2002
	The trials were undertaken to assess the performance of developmental and in-service protective equipment and detection systems. I am withholding the conclusions in accordance with Exemption 1a of the Code of Practice to Access to Government Information, relating to defence, security and international relations.

Defence Analytical Service Agency

Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Quinquennial Review of the Defence Analytical Service Agency will take place.

Lewis Moonie: The Quinquennial Review (QQR) of the Defence Analytical Service Agency (DASA) will begin this month, though some preliminary work is already under way. The aim of the review is to examine how DASA has performed since the previous QQR in 1997 and to recommend what measures should be taken in order to reinforce the agency's delivery of cost-effective services to its customers and to ensure that effective use is made of its statistical expertise and other human resources.
	The review will proceed in two phases. First, a number of "framework" issues will be examined, including whether DASA is best placed as a Next Steps Agency within the Ministry of Defence to exploit its full potential and whether existing governance arrangements require adjustment. The report of this first phase of the review is expected by the end of May.
	Second, the review will address, in the light of the answers to the "framework" issues, a number of questions concerned with the operating efficiency of DASA, including the development of a more appropriate relationship between other providers of statistics within Government and a review of the current organisational configuration to ensure that it is best placed to meet customer requirements both now and in the future. The report of this second phase of the review is expected at the end of August.
	The review will be carried out by a small team, which will consult closely with DASA management and other stakeholders, including DASA's customers. The MOD is interested also to hear the view of other organisations or individuals who would like to make a contribution to the review. Those wishing to do so should send their contributions to:
	DASA QQR Team
	Room 30, St. Giles Court
	St. Giles High Street
	London WC2H 8LD.

Medical Categories (Army)

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the Army are in the medical categories (a) FE, (b) FT, (c) LE, (d) LT, (e) BE, (f) BT, (g) HO, (h) HO (UK), (i) HONI and (j) HO (UK) NI; in each case what percentage of (i) establishment and (ii) actual manning this represents; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 7 May 2002
	Details of UK Trained Army Peronnel (UKTAP) in the specified medical categories are shown in the table. This excludes Gurkhas and Full-Time Reserve Service Personnel for which this information is not centrally held.
	
		Strength of UKTAP by Pulhheems employment standard (PES) as at 1 April 2002
		
			  Total number Liability (percentage) Strength (percentage) 
		
		
			 FE 86,214 82.96 89.33 
			 FT 5 0.00 0.01 
			 LE 7,356 7.08 7.62 
			 LT 1 0.00 0.00 
			 BE 11 0.01 0.01 
			 BT 0 0 0.00 
			 HO 850 0.82 0.88 
			 HO(UK) 165 0.16 0.17 
			 HONNI 587 0.56 0.61 
			 HO(UK)(NNI) 31 0.03 0.03 
			 
			 Liability (MPT)   103,926 
			 Strength   96,507 
		
	
	It should be noted, however, that the above categories do not give a complete picture as there are a number of other categories for which details have not been requested.
	Of the above categories, only Forward Everywhere has no restrictions placed upon it. This does not, however, mean that personnel in the other categories are non-effective. Many categories restrict only the locations that personnel may be posted to or the type of work they may undertake. Pregnancy is obviously a prime example of this situation, and it should be noted that the non-FE figure for women is currently much higher than for men.

Territorial Army

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) men and (b) women are serving in the Territorial Army.

Lewis Moonie: As at 1 April 2002, the strength of the Territorial Army stood at 39,663 personnel, including those mobilised in support of operations. Of these, 32,473 were male and 7,190 female.

Medical Treatment

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he plans to make the short-term measure announced in December 2000 temporarily to supplement NHS treatment of armed forces personnel with private provision into a permanent policy; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 7 May 2002
	I assume that the hon. Member is referring to my answer of 9 January 2001, Official Report, column 482W to the hon. Member for Gosport (Mr. Viggers) in which I referred to contracts having been placed with private sector providers to help return personnel to fully deployable status. We have continued to fund a limited amount of private health care treatment, where this is justified, under central and local arrangements. For the long term, in announcing recently the outcome of the quinquennial review of our medical agencies on 11 April 2002, Official Report, columns 556–57W, we stated that while developing and strengthening our relationship with the NHS, we would also make use of private sector healthcare providers as necessary.

TREASURY

Newspaper Advertising

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the expenditure of his (a) Department, (b) agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies on newspaper advertising by title in each year since 1997.

Ruth Kelly: This information is not available in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Sickness Absence

Jim Cousins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the levels of sickness absence were in each of the last three years in (a) Customs and Excise as a whole and (b) each division and regional collection of the VAT and Excise sections.

Paul Boateng: The average number of working days lost per person due to sickness absence within HM Customs and Excise are detailed in the table.
	
		
			 Calendar year Average working days lost 
		
		
			 31 December 1999 9.6 
			 31 December 2000 9.0 
		
	
	The information for the calendar year to 31 December 2001 is due to be published later this year by the Cabinet Office.
	The data cannot be provided for VAT or Excise on a divisional or regional basis as it is not available in this format.

Rural Awareness

Andrew Turner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when his Department will establish rural targets and monitoring as part of overall rural proofing measures as set out in the Countryside Agency's report, Rural Proofing in 2001–02.

Andrew Smith: The Treasury has a secondee from the Countryside Agency to advise on the Treasury's role in rural policy and to inform Treasury evaluation of how best to deliver Government objectives for rural areas through the spending review. These objectives and associated targets are set out in the White Paper "Our countryside: the future".

Rural Awareness

Andrew Turner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when his Department will have rural proofing embedded in policy-making procedures as set out in the Countryside Agency's report, Rural Proofing in 2001–02.

Andrew Smith: The Treasury is rural proofing policy. It has employed a secondee from the Countryside Agency to work across the Department on the Treasury's role in rural policy as one of a number of cross cutting issues that include sustainability. The result has set the basis for examining the rural dimension of spending review 2002 and for informing future policy development. The Treasury is currently evaluating what further steps are necessary to consolidate this work and to set a framework for the Department to take it forward from 2003 on.

Terrorist Suspects

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 29 April 2002, Official Report, column 541W, on terrorist suspects, if he will identify the individuals and organisations referred to in the assets freeze list published by the G7 Finance Ministers.

Ruth Kelly: The individuals and organisations listed by the G7 Finance Ministers on 20 April 2002 are:
	Es Sayed, Abdelkader Mahmoud;
	Abu Hamza, al-Masri;
	Ben Heni, Lased;
	Aouadi, Mohamed Ben Belgacem;
	Bouchoucha, Mokhtar;
	Charaabi, Tarek;
	Essid, Sami Ben Khemais;
	The Aid Organisation of the Ulema.

Insurance Premiums

Gregory Barker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will request the OFT to investigate the change in insurance premiums in areas at risk from flooding since autumn 2000.

Ruth Kelly: The Government have no plans to request the OFT to investigate price changes for insurance in areas at risk of flooding since autumn 2000. The Government are in discussion with the insurance industry with the mutual aim of ensuring that affordable flood cover remains available as widely as possible. It would be for the Director General of Fair Trading to decide whether to investigate if a case were presented.

Smuggling

Paul Flynn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the percentage of (a) heroin, (b) cocaine and (c) cannabis that escaped detection and was imported into the United Kingdom in each of the past three years.

Paul Boateng: No accurate estimates are currently available.

Money Laundering Terrorist Finance

Jim Cousins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what extra expenditure is planned this year, and in which Departments and agencies of Government, to tackle (a) money laundering and (b) the financial supports for terrorism.

Bob Ainsworth: I have been asked to reply.
	A full answer is not available in the form requested, partly because expenditure on activities against money laundering and terrorist financing are not always separately identified and partly because budgets for 2002–03 are in some cases not yet finalised. I can however provide the following information. Information about expenditure for the National Criminal Intelligence Service has been included although it is not a Government agency.
	The Government have made £18 million available this year and £21 million next year to meet the costs of establishing the Assets Recovery Agency expected to be created by the Proceeds of Crime Bill currently going through Parliament, and related costs. As part of the budget settlement for counter terrorism in 2002–03 £1 million has been provisionally earmarked for tracking terrorist finances. This will provide funding for a multi-agency unit based at the National Criminal Intelligence Service supported by additional investigative capacity at the Metropolitan police service.
	The Crown Prosecution Service has obtained £85,000 from the Recovered Assets Fund for a project on the training of prosecutors across the criminal justice system in implementation of the Proceeds of Crime Bill, which includes new money laundering offences.
	The Department for International Development is increasing support for anti-money laundering activities in 2002–03, including:
	funding the Executive Secretary post of the Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group (£70,000 per year for three years);
	co-funding with the European Union an anti-money laundering technical assistance programme for 10 countries in east and south-east Asia (£700,000 over three years);
	funding the Secretariat of the Egmont Group of financial intelligence units (hosted by the United Kingdom National Criminal Intelligence Service) (£75,000 per year for two years). Department for International Development will supplement this support with funds for a training post at the National Criminal Intelligence Service dedicated to developing training materials relevant to developing countries and countries in transition (estimated £150,000 per year for three years).
	In financial year 2002–03 the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has ring-fenced £250,000 from its Drugs and Crime Fund to provide technical assistance to combat money laundering in countries which are the greatest threat to the United Kingdom's financial system. This represents an increase of over 10 per cent. over the previous financial year.
	The National Criminal Intelligence Service has increased the staffing of its Economic Crime Unit, which handles (inter alia) reports from financial and other institutions of transactions suspected to represent money laundering, from 44 staff in January 2001 to 66 staff in December 2001 with a further increase of up to 20 staff planned for 2002–03.
	Customs and Excise will be implementing the new regulatory regime for money service businesses (bureaux de change, money transmission agents and third party cheque cashiers). This requires all affected businesses to register by 1 June this year. The resourcing levels for this regime are still to be finalised, but it is estimated to be about 40 staff years per annum.

Taxation (Millionaires)

Paul Flynn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many millionaires in the United Kingdom had a nil tax contribution in 2000–01.

Dawn Primarolo: Information on tax liabilities analysed by the total wealth of living individuals is not available. A declaration of total assets is required only for inheritance tax purposes and the estimate of millionaires given in the reply to my hon. Friend on 29 April 2002, Official Report, column 540W, was based on inheritance tax statistics.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will reply to the letter to him dated 2 April from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. I. Hesketh.

Andrew Smith: I have done so.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

UK Master Franchise

Harry Barnes: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her answer of 25 March 2002, Official Report, column 695W, on trading scheme exemptions, whether her Department determines that an individual or a company is operating a UK master franchise in a trading scheme via inspection of the contract between (a) the franchisor and the UK master franchise and (b) the UK master franchise and its franchisees; and if she will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 7 May 2002
	The Department does not routinely inspect trading scheme contracts or advise individuals on them.
	Schemes will vary but the precise nature of the contractual arrangements concluded between scheme members will be a relevant factor in the application of regulatory controls in any given case.

Textile Industry

Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  whether her Department has carried out an assessment of the impact on the textile industry in the UK of the worldwide economic downturn since 11 September;
	(2)  what action her Department has taken to support the textile industry in the UK since 11 September.

Douglas Alexander: holding answer 30 April 2002
	The Department has made no specific assessment of the impact of the events of 11 September on the textile industry. However, we continue to work closely with the industry's own Textile and Clothing Strategy Group (TCSG) to help to improve the industry's productivity and competitiveness, a process which has been in place since before the events of 11 September. The Government have provided more than £80 million to the industry since 1997, and in the last year alone, spent close to £8 million on encouraging innovation within the industry by developing the technical textiles market, developing supply chain and design skills, promoting the benefits of e-commerce and providing export support and education and training opportunities.
	My officials maintain an on-going dialogue with the industry and keep in close contact with regional bodies including the devolved Administrations, industry representative organisations such as the British Apparel and Textile Confederation (BATC), and textile and clothing companies as well as the TCSG.

Export Credits Guarantee Department

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what (a) surplus and (b) deficit was passed to the Exchequer in the form of Government receipts during the course of the ECGD's trading activities in each of the last five years.

Patricia Hewitt: The following surpluses were passed to the Exchequer in the form of Government receipts by ECGD during financial years 1997–98 to 2000–01. The figures for 2001–02 have not been included as these have yet to be audited.
	
		
			  Extra receipts (£) 
		
		
			 1997–98 469,871,250.17 
			 1998–99 384,676,457.08 
			 1999–2000 147,698,759.97 
			 2000–01 226,905,795.70

Export Credits Guarantee Department

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much has been spent by the administration section of the Export Credits Guarantee Department under code B4 (Grant and transfers: current) in the appropriation accounts on recruitment costs in the last five financial years; how much was paid to each recruitment company; what position was recruited for in each year; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: Details of amounts of money paid to individual companies are commercially confidential. I have listed in the table ECGD's total spend on recruitment for financial years 1997–98 to 2000–01, the names of the recruitment companies employed by ECGD in those years and ECGD's total recruitment in the same period. Figures for 2001–02 have not been included as these have yet to be audited.
	
		
			 2000–01 1999–2000 1998–99 1997–98 
		
		
			  Recruitment spend (£) 
			 106,243.34 145,001.24 69,516.11 146,857.57 
			 
			  Recruitment companies 
			 Capita Business Barclay Simpson Associates Barclay Simpson Associates Barclay Simpson Associates 
			 Datatech Search and Selection Capita Business Services Capita Business Services Capita RAS Ltd. (ex RAS) 
			 Reed Staffing Services Chambers Professional Recruitment Capita RAS Ltd. (ex RAS) Carr Lyons Search and Selection 
			  Hays Accountancy Personnel Chambers Professional Recruitment  
			  Reed Staffing Services Ltd.   
			 
			  ECGD recruitment 
			  Administrative grades 
			 16 17 13 7 
			  Executive grades 
			 22 21 — 24 
			  Management grades 
			 3 3 — 1 
			  Senior civil service 
			 1 1 — 2 
			  Specialist (eg legal/operational research) 
			 — — 3 6

MOX Fuel Shipment

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date she expects the ships carrying the faulty MOX fuel from Japan to Sellafield to enter UK territorial waters.

Patricia Hewitt: This is an operational matter for the companies and agencies concerned. Detailed information about the timings and routes for transports of nuclear materials is not disclosed publicly for security reasons.

MOX Fuel Shipment

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what additional security measures have been ordered for the return of the faulty MOX fuel from Japan to Sellafield as a result of the events of 11 September 2001.

Patricia Hewitt: The Government keep security requirements for transports of nuclear materials under regular review. The Government are satisfied that the security arrangements for the transport of MOX from Japan to the United Kingdom are amply robust to deal with any potential threats. In addition, the Government of the United States have confirmed to the Government of Japan that arrangements for transporting the fuel from Japan to the United Kingdom, including the security measures in place, are consistent with the terms of the bilateral agreement on nuclear co-operation between the United States and Japan.

Maladministration

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what payments have been made to individuals following findings of maladministration by ombudsmen with responsibility for agencies under the remit of her Department in the last 12 months; and what plans she has to review the powers to increase the level of awards that can be made.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 10 April 2002
	The Department's agencies operate their own complaints procedures. Individual payments resulting from complaints are a matter for the agency chief executives within the limits of their financial delegations and in consultation with the Department as appropriate. I have asked the chief executives to respond to the hon. Member on any such payments made within the last 12 months.
	Letter from Chris de Grouchy to Annabelle Ewing, dated 8 May 2002
	The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has asked me to reply on behalf of the Radiocommunications Agency to your Parliamentary Question about what payments have been made to individuals following findings of maladministration by ombudsman in the last 12 months.
	The Radiocommunications Agency has made no payments to individuals, as there have been no such investigations within the last year.
	Letter from Desmond Flynn to Annabelle Ewing, dated 8 May 2002
	Further to the answer given by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to your named day parliamentary question 2001/3729 about payments following findings of maladministration by ombudsmen, in the year ended 27 March 2002 The Insolvency Service, one of the DTI's agencies, made 24 payments totalling £27,280.87 after receiving complaints under its complaints procedure and otherwise.
	Of these, 1 payment for £75 was made following the notification of a complaint by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration.
	Complaints were not notified by any other ombudsman.
	Letter from Roger Heathcote to Annabelle Ewing, dated 8 May 2002
	You tabled a Parliamentary Question on 27 March 2002 to Patricia Hewitt, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, asking what payments have been made to individuals following findings of maladministration by ombudsmen with responsibility for agencies under the remit of her Department in the last 12 months; and what plans she has to review the powers to increase the level of awards that can be made. I have been asked to reply in respect of the Employment Tribunals Service (ETS), which is an executive agency of the DTI.
	The Employment Tribunals Service has made no payments in the last 12 months following findings of ombudsmen; and there are no plans currently to review the awards that can be made.
	Letter from Peter Bentley to Annabelle Ewing, dated 8 May 2002
	I am replying on behalf of the Small Business Service, since our Chief Executive, David Irwin, completed his secondment to SBS on 28 March, and our new Chief Executive, Martin Wyn Griffith, does not start until 15 April.
	There have been no findings of maladministration against the Small Business Service.
	Letter from Alison Brimelow to Annabelle Ewing, dated 8 May 2002
	I am replying on behalf of the Patent Office to your Parliamentary Question 3729 to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry relating to payments made to individuals following findings of maladministration by ombudsmen in the last 12 months.
	The Patent Office operates its own complaints procedure. Although this procedure gives no automatic right to compensation individuals may be compensated where there is evidence of errors or omissions by Patent Office staff or procedures. In the year 2001–02 a total of £15,000 was made in ex gratia payments. This represented payment on 29 cases out of a total of 70,000 patent, trade mark and design applications processed in the same period.
	No maladministration payments relating to cases involving the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration (the Ombudsman) have been made in the last 12 months.
	Letter from Dr. J. W. Llewellyn to Annabelle Ewing, dated 8 May 2002
	The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has asked me to reply on behalf of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory (NWML) to your question about payments that have been made to individuals following findings of maladministration by ombudsman in the last 12 months.
	NWML has not made any payments of this type.
	Letter from Claire Clancy to Annabelle Ewing, dated 8 May 2002
	I refer to your Parliamentary Question 2001/3729. I have been asked to respond for Companies House for which the answer is that there have been no such payments.

Fraud

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the estimated level of losses to fraud and corruption was in (a) her Department's vote 1 budget and (b) her Department's vote 2 budget for (i) 1999–2000 and (ii) 2000–01.

Patricia Hewitt: The net losses reported to Treasury as relating to fraud or thefts totalled £18,137 for 1999–2000 and £54,490 for 2000–01. All of these fell to vote 1.
	None of these were attributed to corruption.

Military Exports (Israel)

George Galloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many SIELs have been issued, and in what categories, for military exports to Israel since 18 February; and if she will make a statement.

Nigel Griffiths: Between 18 February and 22 April 2002 18 Standard Individual Export Licences (SIELs) were issued covering items on the Military List where the end user is Israel. Individual export licences might cover a range of items with various ratings. Where this is so, the licence is included in the totals for all the relevant ratings. Details are set out in the table.
	
		
			 Rating Number of SIELs 
		
		
			 ML1 1 
			 ML4 4 
			 ML5 2 
			 ML9 2 
			 ML10 2 
			 ML11 3 
			 ML15 3 
			 ML18 1 
		
	
	All export licence applications to Israel are assessed on a case by case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria in light of the circumstances prevailing at the time of the application. This means that we will not issue export licences where to do so would be in contravention of the consolidated criteria, including where there is a clear risk that the items might be used in internal repression, international aggression, adversely effect regional stability or prolong internal conflict.

Private Medical Insurance

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many employees in (a) her Department and (b) her Department's agencies and non-departmental public bodies have had private medical insurance provided for them in each year since 1997–98; what the total cost is; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 6 February 2002
	None in my Department. I have asked agency chief executives to reply to the hon. Member. Information on non- departmental public bodies is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	Letter from Barry Maxwell to Mr. David Laws, dated 8 May 2002
	The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has asked me to reply on behalf of the Radiocommunications Agency to your Parliamentary Question, for the number of her employees who have or have had private medical insurance provided for them since 1997–98.
	I am sorry you have had to wait so long for a reply. I am writing now to say that, as with DTI, the answer is none.
	Letter from Desmond Flynn to Mr. David Laws, dated 8 May 2002
	The Secretary of State has asked me to respond to your question on how many employees have had private medical insurance provided for them in each year since 1997–98 and what the total cost is.
	The Insolvency Service does not have any employees who have had medical insurance provided for them.
	Letter from Peter Bentley to Mr. David Laws, dated 8 May 2002
	I am replying on behalf of the Small Business Service, since our Chief Executive, David Irwin, completed his secondment on 28 March and our new Chief Executive, Martin Wyn Griffith, does not start until 15 April.
	No staff in the Small Business Service have had private medical insurance provided for them since it was founded in April 2000.
	Letter from Dr. J. W. Llewellyn to Mr. David Laws, dated 8 May 2002
	The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has asked me to reply on behalf of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory (NWML) to your question about the number of employees at NWML who have had private medical insurance provided for them in each year since 1997–98.
	No member of staff at NWML has had private medical insurance provided for them in the period specified.
	Letter from Roger Heathcote to Mr. David Laws, dated 8 May 2002
	RE: Private Medical Insurance
	You tabled a Parliamentary Question on 30 January 2002 to Patricia Hewitt, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, asking how many employees in (a) her Department and (b) her Department's agencies and non-departmental public bodies have had private medical insurance provided for them in each year since 1997–8; what the total cost is; and if she will make a statement. I have been asked to reply in respect of the Employment Tribunals Service (ETS), which is an executive agency of the DTI.
	No employees in ETS have had private medical insurance provided for them in any year since 1997–8.
	Letter from John Holden to Mr. David Laws, dated 8 May 2002
	I refer to your named day Parliamentary Question 2001/2501. I have been asked to respond for Companies House. The answer to your question is none.
	Letter from Alison Brimelow to Mr. David Laws, dated 8 May 2002
	I am replying on behalf of the Patent Office to your Parliamentary Question 2501 to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on the provision of private medical insurance to employees of the Patent Office.
	The Patent Office does not provide, or contribute to, private medical insurance for Patent Office employees.

Departmental Policies

James Purnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what impact her Department's policies have had on the Stalybridge and Hyde constituency since 1997.

Alan Johnson: holding answer 7 May 2002
	During the last five years, businesses in the Stalybridge and Hyde constituency have received over £148,000 investment via the enterprise grant scheme and SMART/SPUR awards on capital investment of over £600,000. This has contributed, along with other Government policies and the work of Government agencies such as the Small Business Service, to a 38 per cent. fall in the number of unemployment benefit claimants in the constituency since May 1997. Constituents will also have benefited from the introduction of the national minimum wage, which has helped an estimated 230,000 people across the north- west region.

Arms Exports

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement about increased powers which the Export Control Bill will give to her to ensure that exported arms are not used for purposes of which the Government does not approve.

Nigel Griffiths: The Export Control Bill provides new powers allowing for the imposition of controls on trade from one overseas country to another, intangible technology transfers and the provision of technical assistance overseas. The Bill allows for these controls to be imposed in relation to military, paramilitary and dual-use goods or technology. The new powers will be used to strengthen the UK's domestic export control law, which at present allows only for controls of tangible exports from the UK. In particular, the new power on trade in controlled goods will be used to introduce controls on trade in all military equipment already subject to export control, and also to control, and in effect prohibit, trade in arms to embargoed destinations and trade in equipment used for torture to any destination.
	The Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria, as announced to Parliament on 26 October 2000, will continue to be the basis for licence decision-making under the Export Control Bill. Before taking a decision on an export licence under the Consolidated Criteria, Ministers take into account all reliable information about end-users of potential concern, including reporting from other Government Departments and UK posts overseas. The Government will not issue a licence where there is a clear risk that the equipment could be used for internal repression or international aggression, or where there is an unacceptable risk of diversion.

Broadband/Highband

Jonathan R Shaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what meetings her Department (a) has had and (b) is planning to have with the DTLR regarding the impact of the line rental scheme on Government policies to encourage the roll-out of broad band and high band width networks.

Douglas Alexander: Officials in my Department, together with regulators responsible for all the utilities, have met with DTLR on a number of occasions to discuss lane rental, and will continue to meet to monitor the effects of the lane rental pilot schemes which are being implemented in Camden and Middlesbrough and will extend until May 2004.
	The effects of national implementation of lane rental charging on the roll out of broadband and 3G mobile networks will be taken into account in these reviews.

Departmental Retirement Ages

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the retirement ages that apply to the employees of her Department and its agencies, including how many and which categories of employees are affected by each; and if she will make a statement on her Department's policy on flexible retirement.

Patricia Hewitt: pursuant to her reply, 6 February 2002, c. 973W
	Unfortunately due to an administrative oversight the replies from the chief executive to the agencies were not given as part of my answer. These now follow.
	Letter from Barry Maxwell to Mr. Steven Webb, dated 8 May 2002
	The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has asked me to reply on behalf of the Radiocommunications Agency to your Parliamentary Question, for a list of the retirement ages that apply to the employees of her Department and its Agencies.
	I am sorry you have had to wait so long for a reply, but can now say that the retirement ages for Agency staff are the same as that of the DTI.
	Letter from Dr. J. W. Llewellyn to Mr. Steven Webb, dated 8 May 2002
	The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has asked me to reply on behalf of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory (NWML) to your question about the retirement ages that apply to the employees of NWML, including how many and which categories of employees are affected by each; and the Agency's policy on flexible retirement.
	The normal retirement age in NWML is 65 for staff in Band A (covering administrative and support staff). For all other staff (covering staff at range 5 and above) the retirement age is 60. At 1 April 2001 there were 14 staff in Band A and 45 staff above this level.
	Flexible retirement is considered on a case by case basis under certain criteria laid down by the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme.
	Letter from John Holden to Mr. Steven Webb, dated 8 May 2002
	I refer to your Parliamentary Question 2001/2571. I have been asked to reply for Companies House.
	The retirement age for ranges 1–4 is 65, range 5 and above 60. We have 893 staff in ranges 1–4 and 293 in range 5 and above.
	Letter from Roger Heathcote to Mr. Steven Webb, dated 8 May 2002
	You tabled a Parliamentary Question on 31 January 2002 to Patricia Hewitt, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, asking if she will list the retirement ages that apply to the employees of her Department and its agencies, including how many and which categories of employees are affected by each; and if she will make a statement on her Department's policy on flexible retirement. I have been asked to reply in respect of the Employment Tribunals Service (ETS), which is an executive agency of the DTI.
	The normal retirement age in my agency is 65 years for staff in Band A (covering administrative and support staff). For all other staff (covering staff at range 5—formerly Executive Officer level—and above) the retirement age is 60 years. At 1 April 2001 there were 559 staff in Band A and 150 staff above this level.
	Letter from Peter Bentley to Mr. Steven Webb, dated 8 May 2002
	I am replying on behalf of the Small Business Service, since our Chief Executive, David Irwin, completed his secondment to SBS on 28 March and our new Chief Executive, Martin Wyn Griffith, does not start until 15 April.
	The normal retirement age in the Small Business Service is 65 for staff in Band A (covering administrative and support staff). For all other staff (covering staff at range 5—formerly Executive Officer level—and above) the retirement age is 60. At 1 April 2002 there were 61 staff in Band A and 213 staff above this level.
	Please note that staff in the SBS Regional teams work to Government Office terms and conditions and they adhere to the same Retirement policy as their Parent Department. SBS Regional Teams have 37 staff at Band A and 99 Staff above this level.
	Letter from Alison Brimelow to Mr. Steven Webb, dated 8 May 2002
	I am replying on behalf of the Patent Office to your Parliamentary Question 2571 to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry relating to retirement ages and policy on flexible retirement.
	The normal retirement age in the Patent Office is 65 in Band A (covering administrative and support staff). For all other staff (covering staff at B1 formerly Executive Officer level—and above) the retirement age is 60. At 1 April 2001 there were 353 staff in Band A and 566 staff above this level.
	Flexible retirement is considered on a case by case basis under the criteria laid down by the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme.
	Letter from Desmond Flynn to Mr. Steven Webb, dated 8 May 2002
	The Secretary of State has asked me to respond to your question on the retirement ages that apply to the employees in The Insolvency Service, including how many and which categories of employees are affected by each.
	The Insolvency Service does not have delegated authority for retirement policy and so the guidelines are the same as that of the Department of Trade and Industry. The notional retirement age for staff in Band A (administrative and support staff) is 65. For all other staff in Band B and above (formerly Executive Officer level and above) the retirement age is 60. The number of permanent staff in post in The Insolvency Service at 1 April 2001 was 1303 (full time equivalent); of which 580 staff are in Band A and 723 are in Band B and above.
	Flexible retirement is considered on a case by case basis under the criteria laid down by the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Damilola Taylor

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Solicitor-General if she will make a statement on the actions that she plans to take as a consequence of the Damilola Taylor case.

Harriet Harman: The Attorney-General has asked the Director of Public Prosecutions to look into the handling by the prosecution of the boys charged with the murder of Damilola Taylor, to consider whether there are implications for the conduct of future cases and to make recommendations. The DPP will involve HM CPS Inspectorate in the review. The Attorney-General particularly asked the director to examine whether the time has come to introduce a system where, before trial, interviews of certain key witnesses are conducted by the prosecutor in a limited category of cases.
	The review will report to the Attorney-General by mid summer.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Accountancy Services

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total cost to his Department was for accountancy services in each of the last four years.

John Reid: The information requested is not readily available and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

Public Appointments

Eric Forth: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the appointments made by his Department since 1 May 1997 of chairmen of (a) non- departmental public bodies, (b) commissions, (c) inquiries, (d) agencies and (e) task forces; and if he will list their (i) term of office, (ii) salary and (iii) known political affiliation (A) past and (B) present.

John Reid: The information is as follows:
	(a) Chairs of non-departmental bodies
	Equality Commission for Northern Ireland
	Mrs. Joan Harbison
	Appointed 2 August 1999 to 1 August 2002
	Salary £62,789 per annum
	Juvenile Justice Board
	Ms E. Martin
	Appointed 31 July 2000 to 31 July 2002
	Remuneration—£29.38 for up to four hours and £58.77 for over four hours
	Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
	Professor S. Brice Dickson
	Appointed 1 March 1999 to 28 February 2002
	Reappointed 1 March 2002 to 28 February 2005
	Salary £57,475 per annum
	Northern Ireland Policing Board
	Professor Desmond Rea
	Appointed 29 September 2001 to 28 September 2005
	Salary £45,000 per annum
	Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland
	Mrs. Nuala O'Loan
	Appointed 6 November 2000 to 5 November 2007
	Remuneration £77,745 per annum
	Probation Board for Northern Ireland
	Mr. Brian Rowntree
	Appointed 1 December 1998 to 30 November 2004
	Remuneration £12,930 per annum
	Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland
	The right hon. Michael Martin
	Appointed 23 October 2000—not time bounded
	Salary nil since post is held ex-officio
	(b) Chairs of commissions
	Parades Commission
	Mr. J. Anthony Holland
	Appointed 19 February 2000 to 31 December 2002
	Salary £50,400 per annum
	(c) Chairs of inquiries
	Bloody Sunday inquiry
	Lord Saville of Newdigate
	Appointed on 19 March 1998 to complete the inquiry
	No salary for the inquiry
	(d) Chairs of agencies
	None.
	(e) Chairs of task forces
	Information on the number, remit and membership of task forces, ad hoc advisory groups and reviews has been published by the Cabinet Office on a regular basis. The first report was published on 11 January 2000 and gives information for the period between 1 May 1997 to 31 October 1999. A second report was published on 27 July 2000, and covered the period 1 November 1999 to 30 April 2000. A third report was published on 13 December 2000, covering the period 1 May 2000 to 31 October 2000. The most recent report, "Task Forces, Ad Hoc Advisory Groups and Reviews", was issued in October 2001 and covered the period of the financial year 2000–01. Copies of these reports have been placed in the Libraries of the House.
	For all of the above categories of appointment, information on political affiliation is not collected.

Departmental Website

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total cost of his Department's website was in real terms in each of the last four years; and how many hits it received in each of those years.

John Reid: Information on the cost of the Northern Ireland Office website is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The number of hits received are as follows:
	1997—398,832
	1998—2,655,045
	1999—2,728,304
	2000—3,506,310
	2001—4,959,502.

Publicity Expenditure

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the total real terms expenditure of his Department, its agencies and non- departmental public bodies on publicity in each of the years (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000, (d) 2000–01 and (e) 2001–02 (i) to date and (ii) as estimated for the whole of the present year; and if he will break these figures down to indicate expenditure on (A) advertising and (B) press and public relations.

John Reid: Details of the Department's (including its agencies, but excluding NDPBs as we do not have access to a breakdown of their expenditure) total expenditure on advertising in each of the last five financial years are:
	1997–98—£1,077,706
	1998–99—£2,466,691
	1999–2000—£695,017
	2000–01—£591,075
	2001–02—£1,201,623 1
	1 To date. Estimated total = £1,441,173

Arts

Martin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with Northern Ireland Ministers and the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on the arts community there.

John Reid: I have held meetings on a number of issues with all Northern Ireland Ministers including Michael McGimpsey, Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, since my arrival as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. However, the Northern Ireland arts community was not an issue specifically discussed at any meetings. The arts is a transferred matter and not, therefore a matter in which I would have great cause to become involved.
	However, the Northern Ireland Executive, Belfast city council and Imagine Belfast 2008 are currently working on the Belfast bid to become European Capital of Culture in 2008. I believe that Belfast would be an excellent choice for this accolade, and I have offered the assistance of my Department with the bid to promote all aspects of Northern Ireland, including the arts, cultural diversity, tourism, etc. both nationally and internationally.

Political Dialogue

Martin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he is taking to help prevent Northern Ireland becoming what he has termed a "cold house for Unionists"; and if he will make a statement.

John Reid: We are making every effort to tackle the issue in seeking to bring about political advance under the Belfast Agreement. But it is the responsibility, not just of Her Majesty's Government, but of all who are involved in public life in Northern Ireland, to seek to ensure that all parts of the community in Northern Ireland are able to feel fully at home there.

Official Visits

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  if he will list the official visits to (a) Paris and (b) Brussels made by each Minister in his Department in 2001 and the mode of travel used; and what guidance is provided to Ministers in his Department on the choice of mode of travel for such visits;
	(2)  if he will list the official visits within the UK outside London made by each Minister in his Department in 2001, giving for each (a) the origin and destination and (b) the mode of travel used; and what guidance is provided to Ministers in his Department on choice of mode of travel for official visits.

John Reid: Since 1999 the Government have published an annual list of all overseas visits undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during each financial year. On an annual basis, the Government have also published the cost of all Ministers' visits overseas. Details of travel undertaken during the period during 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002 will be published in a similar form to previous years as soon as possible after the end of the current financial year. Copies of the lists will be placed in the Libraries of the House.
	The additional information requested on UK travel by Ministers is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Gender Pay Gap

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the extent of the gender pay gap among staff in his Department.

Jane Kennedy: In response to the Equal Opportunities Commission Task Force "Just Pay" report, the Government have committed Departments and agencies to review their pay systems by April 2003 and prepare action plans to close any equal pay gaps.
	The Northern Ireland Office has begun an equal pay review which will be completed within the time frame stipulated.

Relocation Expenses

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his policy is on the payment of relocation expenses to staff in his Department.

Jane Kennedy: The Northern Ireland Office comply with the Northern Ireland civil service policy on the payment of relocation expenses to staff laid down in the Northern Ireland Civil Service Staff Handbook, Travel and Subsistence section, Chapters 3 and 4.
	Reasonable expenses are reimbursed to Home civil service staff who permanently transfer in accordance with the terms of the Civil Service Management Code and the Northern Ireland Office Terms and Conditions.

Public Service Agreements

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which public service agreement targets scheduled to be met in 2002 will not be achieved by the due date.

John Reid: PSA target 6 states "Continued protection for the community by ensuring that no high risk prisoner escapes and that the number of prison escapes does not exceed three per 1,000 prisoners".
	Targets set in the NI prison service's corporate and business plan 2001–04 are:
	100 per cent. security for top and high risk prisoners;
	99.7 per cent. security for medium and low risk prisoners.
	The second target will not be met in the 2001–02 financial year since there have been three escapes in the medium and low risk prisoner category, which equates to 99.6 per cent. security.
	PSA target 6 will therefore not be met in the 2001–02 financial year.

Sickness Absence

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the target is for reducing sickness absence by police officers and civilians in 2001–02; and if he estimates it will be met.

John Reid: The targets for the financial year 2001–02 for police and civilian staff are 16 days and 12 days respectively. It is unlikely that those targets will be met as the average sickness absences for the year to date are 22.27 days and 14.78 days respectively.

Ministerial Travel

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many times Ministers in his Department have travelled abroad at taxpayers' expense since March 2001; what countries they visited; and what the total cost of each visit was.

Jane Kennedy: Since 1999 the Government have published an annual list of all overseas visits undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during each financial year. On an annual basis, the Government have also published the cost of all Ministers' visits overseas. Details of travel undertaken during the period during 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002 will be published in a similar form to previous years as soon as possible after the end of the current financial year. Copies of the lists will be placed in the Libraries of the House. The 1999 list contained information on all such visits undertaken from 2 May 1997 to 31 March 1999.
	All travel is undertaken fully in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.

Press Office

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total cost of running the Department's press office was in (a) 1996–97 and (b) the latest year for which figures are available.

John Reid: The following totals show the cost of running the core Department's press office. (Outside the core it includes only the Northern Ireland Prison Service):
	
		£ 
		
			  Total cost 
		
		
			 1996–97 2,091,547 
			 2001–02 (2)1,884,108 
		
	
	(2) To date. Full year estimate £1,970,599.

New Deal (Young People)

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people employed by the non- departmental public bodies for which he is responsible under the New Deal for Young People in each of the last four years have subsequently (a) found unsubsidised employment for more than 13 weeks and (b) returned to jobseekers' allowance or other benefits.

John Reid: No New Deal for Young People staff have been employed by non-departmental public bodies in the last four years.

Part-time Employees

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many and what proportion of the staff of his Department are part-time employees.

Jane Kennedy: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office on 10 April 2002, Offical Report, column 49W.

Forensic Science

Martin Salter: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has made a decision on the future of forensic science in Northern Ireland.

John Reid: I have agreed that the executive agency status of the Compensation Agency should be continued until 31 March 2004. My decision follows the completion of Stage 1 of a quinquennial review which examined the past performance of the agency and other organisational arrangements available for the administration of compensation schemes. Stage 2 of the review will look at ways of improving the delivery of services.

Empty Properties

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 4 March 2002, Official Report, column 57W, regarding the cost of empty properties, if his Department has owned properties in the last four years that have been empty.

John Reid: In the last four years the NIO has owned no properties that have been empty.

Staff Pay

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost in 2001–02 was of the pay increase to staff in his Department, agencies and the non- departmental public bodies for which he is responsible; and what the cost of the forthcoming increase will be in 2002–03.

John Reid: The information is as follows:
	Civil Servants
	In 2001–02 the NIO pay group had a remit with a headline settlement of 2.9 per cent., and earnings growth of 4.8 per cent., at a cost of £1,040,770.
	The cost of the pay increase in 2002–03 is still being negotiated but it is envisaged that it will be of similar value to 2001–02.
	Prison Officers
	The prison service has been negotiating a two-year award for 2001–03 for prison grades and this has not yet been agreed.

Petrol Smuggling

Quentin Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what meetings he and his officials have held with their Irish counterparts since July 2001 to discuss the smuggling of petroleum products into Northern Ireland.

Jane Kennedy: We have not had a meeting with our Irish counterparts but my officials have held three meetings to discuss a range of security issues including organised crime. At one of these meetings fuel smuggling was an agenda item followed by on-going bilateral contacts between officials. Customs officials have also met with their counterparts.

Private Finance Initiative

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the (a) private finance initiative and (b) public private partnership projects which have been delayed.

Jane Kennedy: There have been no delays in (a) private finance initiative and (b) public private partnership projects.

SCOTLAND

Departmental Staff

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many staff left the service of her Department and its agencies in the year ended 31 March 2001; how many left before attaining the formal retirement age of 60 years; and in respect of how many her Department and its agencies assumed responsibilities for making payments until retirement age.

Helen Liddell: During the year ended 31 March 2001, 21 staff who had not attained the formal retirement age of 60 left the service of my Department. Those staff either returned to their parent Departments following their loan period or chose to resign. No staff left on early retirement or early severance.

Press and Public Relations

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people were employed in a press or public relations function in her Department on 1 January in (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999, (d) 2000, (e) 2001 and (f) 2002.

Helen Liddell: The Scotland Office was established in its present form on 1 July 1999.
	The Department had four press officers on 1 January 2000; four press officers on 1 January 2001; and four press officers on 1 January 2002.

Gender Pay Gap

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment she has made of the extent of the gender pay gap among staff in her Department.

Helen Liddell: My Department is currently considering how best to take forward an equal pay review, in conjunction with the Scottish Executive.

Job Advertisements

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will list the job advertisements placed by her Department in the last 12 months specifying where the advertisements were placed and the cost in each case.

Helen Liddell: No external advertisements for staff have been placed by my Department in the last 12 months.

Age Discrimination

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what her Department's policy is towards age discrimination.

Helen Liddell: My Department has taken steps to integrate age into equal opportunities policies and is committed to ensuring that there is no unfair discrimination on the basis of age. Action on diversity has and will continue to tackle any negative attitudes towards older staff particularly through the training and development of managers and through the monitoring of recruitment, selection and appraisal statistics.

Accessible Documentation

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if all documentation provided by her Department is available in formats accessible by the visually impaired.

Helen Liddell: holding answer 11 March 2002
	My Department is committed to providing information in an accessible form. If information is requested in an alternative format every effort will be made to supply it.

Unpaid Advisers

Alan Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will list the names of the unpaid advisers appointed by her and her predecessors since June 1997, stating in each case (a) the date of their appointment, (b) the duration of their appointment and (c) the project or projects on which they have been engaged.

Helen Liddell: holding answer 25 March 2002
	The Scotland Office was established in its present form on 1 July 1999.
	My predecessor had one unpaid special adviser between June 1999 and January 2001. His duties were to provide advice to the Secretary of State across a range of topics within his ministerial responsibilities.

Property Protection

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what new measures her Department took in 2001–02 to protect its property from theft or damage.

Helen Liddell: holding answer 10 April 2002
	My Department's security measures to protect its property from theft or damage are reviewed regularly. No additional measures were required in 2001–02.

Television

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will list the number of subscriptions to (a) digital terrestrial, (b) digital satellite and (c) digital cable television held by her Department for services in any departmental building from which Ministers work, stating for each subscription its (i) cost and (ii) purpose.

Helen Liddell: holding answer 10 April 2002
	My Department has no subscriptions to digital television services.

Television

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will list the (a) number and (b) total cost of television licences paid for by her Department.

Helen Liddell: holding answer 10 April 2002
	No television licence is required for equipment used for official purposes.

Public Appointments

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to her answer of 22 April, Official Report, column 66W, on appointments, whether the only public appointments she makes are to the Boundary Commission for Scotland.

Helen Liddell: Yes.

Digital Equipment

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many digital radios are owned by her Department for use in departmental buildings from which Ministers work; and what the (a) cost and (b) date of purchase of each radio was.

Helen Liddell: holding answer 26 April 2002
	No digital radios have been purchased by my Department.

ADVOCATE-GENERAL

Property Protection

John Bercow: To ask the Advocate-General what new measures her Department took in 2001–02 to protect its property from theft or damage.

Lynda Clark: holding answer 10 April 2002
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

Redundant Churches

Tom Cox: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, how many redundant churches have been sold in each of the last five years.

Stuart Bell: Sixty-five redundant churches were sold for alternative uses during the period from 1997 to 2001. The annual breakdown is:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1997 19 
			 1998 14 
			 1999 11 
			 2000 9 
			 2001 12 
		
	
	A smaller number was leased or otherwise disposed of for alternative use during the same period.
	The Commissioners' annual report gives details of the uses found for these buildings and is available in the House of Commons Library.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Entertainment Costs

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list for 1997–98 and each subsequent financial year the amount spent by (a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) its non-departmental public bodies in respect of hotel and other similar privately-provided accommodation (i) in the UK and (ii) abroad for (A) Ministers, (B) staff and (C) other persons; if he will list the proportion of this cost incurred in respect of (x) food and (y) alcohol in each case; and if he will list the average cost per hotel room or similar unit of accommodation provided in each case.

Malcolm Wicks: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Cabinet Office on 14 February 2002, Official Report, column 560W.

Benefit Recipients

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Northavon (Mr. Webb), of 29 January 2002, Official Report, column 261W, on benefit recipients, how many and what proportion of pensioner households are expected to be eligible for (a) pension credit, (b) housing benefit and (c) council tax benefit after October 2003.

Ian McCartney: Information on the number of pensioner households eligible for housing benefit and council tax benefit is not available. For pension credit estimates, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East (Dr. Kumar) on 23 April 2002, Official Report, column 204W.

Equal Treatment

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) if he has established a baseline for policy appraisal against which to measure progress on equal treatment; and what progress has been achieved;

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the subject of each gender impact assessment drawn up by his Department since June 1997, indicating in each case whether the outcome has been (a) put out to consultation and (b) published.

Ian McCartney: Within the Department for Work and Pensions it has been for our separate agencies and businesses to adopt, as appropriate, the Policy Appraisal for Equal Treatment guidelines issued in 1998. Detailed information about adherence to these guidelines, and to baselines, is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	However, this Department is fully committed to equal treatment in the conduct of all aspects of its business, be it policy development, staff management, or providing a service to its wide range of customers. Recent reforms to the child support system, bereavement benefits and pension sharing all embrace the principles of equal treatment. Gender is one strand to be considered along with race, disability, age and sexual orientation.

Data Series

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what new data series separated by (a) gender, (b) race, (c) disability and (d) age have been commissioned by his Department since August 1997.

Ian McCartney: The table shows the information requested for series produced by this Department and published since August 1997 which are split by gender, race, disability or age. Where a series is marked as "ad hoc", the required split is not routinely published but can be provided in response to a specific request.
	Data series produced by the Department for Work and Pensions since August 1997, split by gender, race, disability or age.
	
		Date series produced by the Department for Work and Pensions since august 1997, split by gender, race, disability or age
		
			Figures split by  
			   Gender Race Disability Age 
		
		
			 National statistics 
			 Child benefit quarterly statistics(3) Ad hoc No No Yes 
			 Client group analysis of the population over state pension age (six-monthly) Yes No Yes Yes 
			 Client group analysis: Quarterly bulletin on families with children on key benefits Ad hoc No Yes Yes 
			 Client group analysis: Quarterly bulletin on the population of working age on key benefits Yes No Yes Yes 
			 Contributions and qualifying years for retirement pension (annual) Yes No No Yes 
			 Disability, care and mobility benefits—Quarterly statistical enquiry(4) Yes No Yes Yes 
			 Employment zones (six monthly) Yes Yes Ad hoc Yes 
			 Households below average income (annual) Yes Yes Yes Yes 
			 Income related benefits estimates of take-up Yes No No No 
			 Individual incomes series (annual)(5) Yes Ad hoc Ad hoc Yes 
			 Annual local area labour force survey Yes Yes Yes Yes 
			 New Deal for Lone Parents (quarterly) Yes Yes Yes Yes 
			 New Deal for Young People and Long-term Unemployed People aged 25+ (quarterly) Yes Yes Yes Yes 
			 Pensioners' incomes series Yes Ad hoc Yes Yes 
			 Quarterly appeal tribunal statistics No No Yes No 
			 Second tier pension provision (annual) Yes No No Yes 
			 Statistical summary (quarterly)(6) Yes No Partly Yes 
			 Work based learning for adults Yes Yes Yes Yes 
			  
			 Other data series 
			 Disability survey (follow up to FRS(7)) No No Yes No 
			 The family and children survey (FACS)(8) Yes Yes Yes Yes 
			 New Deal for 50 plus Yes Yes Yes Yes 
			 New Deal for Disabled People Yes Yes Yes Yes 
			 Neighbourhood statistics Yes No No Yes 
		
	
	(3) Method of collecting data changed in 1998 to provide significantly more in depth analysis.
	(4) Invalid care allowance figures were first published after August 1997 and can be split by age and gender only. Disability living allowance/ attendance allowance figures can also be split by disability but were published prior to August 1997.
	(5) Race/disability—sample size are generally too small unless 4+ years data used.
	(6) The statistical summary provides a summary of key DWP national statistics, some give an indication of the level of disability of the customer.
	(7) FRS means "Family Resources Survey".
	(8) The survey collects information on gender, ethnicity, disability and age, although it should be noted that respondents are primarily women between the ages of 18 and 50.

Creche Facilities

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what creche facilities are provided by his Department; and at what cost.

Malcolm Wicks: This Department has a wide range of policies that support work life balance and, in particular, assist those staff with child care responsibilities. It actively supports and encourages the provision of child care for staff throughout the organisation. The provision is mainly in the form of subsidised child care places in nurseries and holiday playschemes.
	Currently, this Department and its businesses sponsor 768 places in nurseries, 19 of which are on-site nurseries. This Department also sponsors 1,972 places in holiday playschemes, many of which have been newly set up in partnership with other organisations and with start-up funding. In addition, some staff receive a direct subsidy where childminding is the preferred type of child care.
	Financial accountability is mainly at local business unit level and so details of the overall costs incurred in providing assistance with child care is not available centrally. Investment in each child care facility is based on a business case which must demonstrate business viability and value for money, as well as providing parents with the type of child care which is most suitable for them.

Fraud and Error

Richard Bacon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his most recent annual estimate is of the accrued amount of benefits overpaid due to (a) customer error, (b) official error and (c) fraud if the cases where there was (i) high and (ii) low suspicion of fraud were well founded.

Malcolm Wicks: Our most recent estimate is that the total amount of benefits overpaid due to customer error and official error taken together is around £1 billion and the total amount due to fraud is around £2 billion. These are broad order estimates. They are made up of estimates from the continuously measured benefits (income support and jobseeker's allowance), from National Benefit Reviews and from estimated levels of loss in the unmeasured benefits.
	Estimates of high and low suspicion fraud have been provided for most of the benefits reviewed. The Department has, however, tightened its approach to recording such cases since the earlier reviews of the 1990s and now makes much greater effort to resolve cases either way.
	Further information on the handling of suspicion of fraud in the benefit review process is in The Results of the Area Benefit Review and the Quality Support Team from April 2000 to March 2001, Fraud and Error in Claims for Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance, a copy of which is in the Library.

Fraud and Error

Richard Bacon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many cases there were and what the value of cases was where his Department had deemed that there was (a) high and (b) low suspicion that an overpayment in (i) housing benefit, (ii) jobseeker's allowance and (iii) income support was made due to fraud, but where that suspicion was eventually cleared altogether, in the years (A) 1998–99, (B) 1999–2000 and (C) 2000–01.

Malcolm Wicks: The information is not available for housing benefit.
	We do not have complete information on the number of cases in the Area Benefit Review process which were initially thought to be suspicious between 1998 and 2001. However, analysis of the data we hold from this period provides information on the proportions of high suspicion cases resulting in different outcomes. The analysis indicates that 42 per cent. of those initially deemed 'high suspicion' and subjected to a full further investigation, were found not to require or merit a change to benefit in payment. The corresponding proportion by monetary value is 49 per cent. A further 26 per cent. (21 per cent. by value) were found to be fraudulent. In the remaining 32 per cent. of cases (30 per cent. by value) it was not possible to prove that fraud had occurred, but a strong suspicion remained. It is this final category which is reported as high suspicion in the National Statistics reports "The Results of the Area Benefit Review and the Quality Support Team, Fraud and Error in Claims for Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance".
	Low suspicion cases are not subjected to further investigation and are not, therefore, liable to be re-categorised. Since October 2001, in order to streamline data collection processes, the Department no longer records low suspicion as the information is of limited value.

Public Bodies

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost in 2001–02 was of the pay increase to staff in his Department, agencies and the non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible; and what the cost of the forthcoming increase will be in 2002–03.

Ian McCartney: In 2001–02 staff within the former Department of Social Security received an overall pay increase of 5.5 per cent., effective from 1 July 2001 and costing some £48.8 million. Recyclable paybill savings of 1.5 per cent. were used to partially fund the pay increase.
	Staff within the former Employment Services Agency received an overall pay increase of 5.5 per cent., effective from 1 July 2002 and costing some £13.4 million. Recyclable paybill savings of 0.7 per cent. were used to partially fund the pay increase.
	Non-departmental public bodies received pay increases in the range 2.5 per cent.- 6.25 per cent. with various settlement dates.
	In 2002–03 there will be a single pay settlement for staff within the Department for Work and Pensions, effective from 1 July 2002. This is subject to negotiation with the trade unions side and details of the settlement are not yet available.

Mobility Allowance (Wandsworth)

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in the London Borough of Wandsworth are in receipt of the mobility allowance.

Maria Eagle: The number of people in receipt of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance in the borough of Wandsworth on 30 November 2001 was 6,080.

Carers

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which categories of carer will be credited into the state second pension; and for each of those categories, who will be (a) credited automatically and (b) need to make a claim.

Maria Eagle: Carers will qualify for state second pension for each complete tax year they do not work at all, or earn less than the annual national insurance lower earnings limit and they are looking after:
	a child under age six and get child benefit for that child; or
	an ill or disabled person and are entitled to invalid care allowance or qualify for home responsibilities protection, which they may have to claim.
	All qualifying carers will receive an additional pension from state second pension automatically.

Pensions

David Marshall: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many UK pensioners in receipt of pensions are living abroad, broken down by country of residence.

Maria Eagle: The information is not available in the format requested. The available information is in the table.
	
		Number of British pensioners in receipt of pensions living abroad: May 2001, by country of residence
		
			 Country Number 
		
		
			 All 853,840 
			 Australia 216,870 
			 Canada 141,185 
			 USA 113,420 
			 Republic of Ireland 86,525 
			 Spain 42,190 
			 New Zealand 35,785 
			 South Africa 34,085 
			 Italy 28,300 
			 Germany 25,705 
			 Jamaica 23,230 
			 France 17,505 
			 Cyprus 7,075 
			 Pakistan 5,995 
			 Netherlands 5,755 
			 Other(9) 70,215 
		
	
	(9) All other countries with individual case load less than 5,000.
	Notes:
	1. Figures may not sum to overall total due to rounding.
	2. Figures are for GB pensioners excludes NI pensioners.
	Source:
	Matching, Intelligence and Data Analysis Service. May 2001.

Pensions

Peter Lilley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have personal pension funds.

Ian McCartney: pursuant to his reply, 16 April 2002, Official Report, c. 892W
	The information is in the table.
	
		The number of people who have a personal pension
		
			  Million 
		
		
			 Numbers contributing to a personal pension 4.08 
			 Numbers receiving income from a personal pension 0.80 
			  
			 Total number of people with a personal pension 4.88 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Information is drawn from the Family Resources Survey (FRS) for the year 2000–01 and covers Great Britain only.
	2. Due to the size of the FRS sample and the fact that the survey relies on self-reporting of pension income the information may be subject to a margin of error.

TRANSPORT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE REGIONS

Local Government Finance

Virginia Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  what steps he is taking to ensure that the new grant formula that will replace SSA will (a) be improved and (b) address the needs of all classes of authority;
	(2)  what steps he will take to reduce disparity in total external support to local authorities.

Nick Raynsford: We are working to develop options for fairer and more intelligible grant distribution formulae. We will consult on options over the summer and will consider the responses when we come to take decisions.

Parish Councils

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the financial impact on parish councils of the 1996 Accounts and Audit Regulations; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Whitehead: I am aware of the impact that accounting and audit requirements can have on parish councils as a consequence of complying with the Accounts and Audit Regulations 1996. For this reason, last year we increased the income threshold, below which local councils are subject to the least onerous accounting regime, from £5,000 to £50,000. In addition, the Audit Commission has introduced a new 'lighter touch' audit framework for local councils, with the aim of making the audit process simpler and therefore cheaper. The new regime should result in lower audit costs for most small councils.

Parish Councils

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he plans to introduce an internal audit requirement for parish councils; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Whitehead: The Accounts and Audit Regulations 1996 already impose a requirement for parish councils and other authorities to maintain an adequate and effective system of internal audit. We plan to consult later this year on proposals aimed at strengthening this requirement by providing for all authorities to follow best practice in carrying out their internal audit role.

Mobile Phone Masts

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will set out his definition of the amenity grounds on which local authorities may refuse planning applications for mobile phone masts.

Stephen Byers: holding answer 7 May 2002
	Planning decisions are based upon the land-use merits of each proposal; an assessment must be made of the impact of the proposed development on amenity. Each planning case is likely to have a unique set of relevant facts, and the courts are final arbiters of what is material. The Department's advice on materiality is set out in Planning Policy Guidance Note 1 (PPG1), "General Policy and Principles".

Mobile Phone Masts

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what research his Department has commissioned into planning guidance on the siting of mobile phone masts in other member states in the European Union.

Stephen Byers: None.

Mobile Phone Masts

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what action has been taken to carry out the Stewart report recommendation to appoint an ombudsman to examine decisions on the siting of base stations where there is disagreement at the local level.

Sally Keeble: The Stewart Group's report on mobile phones and health suggested that the appointment of an ombudsman would help with planning decisions on siting of base stations, for example, where agreement could not be reached locally. The Government's response to the report made clear that while the Government are sympathetic to the objectives of the proposal, it feels there are better ways of achieving them, bearing in mind that there is no comparable arrangement in relation to other kinds of development. The role of an ombudsman would not sit comfortably with the existing appeal process within the planning system.
	As regards siting, the Government's view is that the objectives are met by the planning process. When considering applications for new development, local planning authorities consult local people and take their views into account in making decisions. Where an authority refuses an application the developer can appeal to the Secretary of State. Pre-applications discussions with authorities and with local people also have an important part to play, providing opportunities to explore alternative approaches to the siting and appearance of masts.

Rural Housing

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 29 January 2002, Official Report, column 172W, on rural housing, what representations he has received on the (a) proposals for a tariff in rural areas and (b) level of such a tariff.

Sally Keeble: We have received over 500 responses to our consultation on reforming planning obligations. In the consultation we have proposed that planning obligations should take the form of a standardised tariff, set through the local plan process, and to include a contribution towards affordable housing. This could apply in rural as well as urban areas. The consultation document proposes that tariffs would be set by local authorities, subject to safeguards
	We are now in the process of analysing these responses, and expect to publish a policy statement setting out the way forward in the summer.

Housing (Redbridge)

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list, by project, the total investment in housing capital improvements in the London borough of Redbridge, (a) in each of the past five years and (b) expected for 2002–03.

Sally Keeble: Information on local authorities' and other housing providers' investment in housing capital improvements by project is not held centrally.
	The table sets out Government and Housing Corporation allocations for housing capital improvements in the London borough of Redbridge for the current year, and each of the past five years.
	
		Housing capital improvements in the London borough of Redbridge -- £ million
		
			  1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 
		
		
			 Housing investment programme(10) 2.335 1.421 1.729 5.930 3.260 3.753 
			 Capital receipts initiative 0.889 2.275 2.081 — — — 
			 Cash incentive scheme 0.171 0.158 — — — — 
			 Major repairs allowance — — — — 4.483 4.036 
			 Estate action(11) 0.592 0.934 0.257 — — — 
			 Disabled facilities grant 0.488 0.851 0.663 0.663 0.747 0.750 
			 Approved development plan(12) 3.749 4.761 3.699 3.612 4.876 19.285 
		
	
	(10) Basic Housing ACG
	(11) Expenditure relates to a single estate action project on the Triptree Estate in Barkingside, which received a total of £4.748m in Estate Action funding from 1993–94 to 1999–2000.
	(12) Allocated by the Housing Corporation to registered social landlords.

Affordable Housing (South-West)

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many affordable housing units in (a) south Somerset, (b) Somerset and (c) the south-west region have (i) been sold under right to buy and (ii) been newly built, showing for each category the net change, in each year from 1991 to 2002.

Sally Keeble: The available information is presented in the table.
	
		Local authority and registered social landlord affordable housing stock, RTB sales and new build
		
			  Dwelling stock at start of year owned by: Activity during year— sales under right to buy Activity during year—new dwellings completed Net stock change during year  
			  Local authority Registered social landlord Total social landlords Local authority Registered social landlord Local authority Registered social landlord Total social landlords Local authority Registered social landlord Total social landlords  
		
		
			  South Somerset 
			 1991–92 10,576 153 10,729 115 n/a 24 0 24 10 13 23 
			 1992–93 10,586 166 10,752 163 n/a 0 46 46 -204 226 22 
			 1993–94 10,382 392 10,774 372 n/a 0 127 127 -266 125 -141 
			 1994–95 10,116 517 10,633 365 n/a 0 56 56 -391 83 -308 
			 1995–96 9,725 600 10,325 183 0 0 71 71 -198 275 77 
			 1996–97 9,527 875 10,402 170 0 0 20 20 -283 152 -131 
			 1997–98 9,244 1,027 10,271 208 0 0 26 26 -221 84 -137 
			 1998–99 9,023 1,111 10,134 195 1 0 90 90 -9,023 9,023 0 
			 1999–2000 0 10,134 10,134 0 350 0 14 14 0 -175 -175 
			 2000–01 0 9,959 9,959 0 157 0 13 13 0 211 211 
			 
			  Somerset 
			 1991–92 31,607 1,874 33,481 383 n/a 94 79 173 -161 74 -87 
			 1992–93 31,446 1,948 33,394 426 n/a 57 227 284 -496 500 4 
			 1993–94 30,950 2,448 33,398 798 n/a 12 314 326 -776 629 -147 
			 1994–95 30,174 3,077 33,251 702 n/a 0 281 281 -706 534 -172 
			 1995–96 29,468 3,611 33,079 498 0 0 288 288 -691 665 -26 
			 1996–97 28,777 4,276 33,053 427 1 0 230 230 -789 453 -336 
			 1997–98 27,988 4,729 32,717 604 1 0 105 105 -2,454 2,164 -290 
			 1998–99 25,534 6,893 32,427 473 34 0 233 233 -9,376 9,282 -94 
			 1999–2000 16,158 16,175 32,333 391 410 0 236 236 -399 -2 -401 
			 2000–01 15,759 16,173 31,932 339 187 0 92 92 -4,529 4,694 165 
			 South West 
			 1991–92 273,597 35,369 308,966 3,120 n/a 1,096 1,104 2,200 -2,301 2,111 -190 
			 1992–93 271,296 37,480 308,776 3,087 n/a 284 1,791 2,075 -3,785 5,401 1,616 
			 1993–94 267,511 42,881 310,392 4,230 n/a 131 2,425 2,556 -9,960 11,012 1,052 
			 1994–95 257,551 53,893 311,444 4,133 n/a 103 2,841 2,944 -11,033 8,413 -2,620 
			 1995–96 246,518 62,306 308,824 2,769 159 182 2,889 3,071 -14,296 17,050 2,754 
			 1996–97 232,222 79,356 311,578 2,824 288 98 2,477 2,575 -8,486 8,143 -343 
			 1997–98 223,736 87,499 311,235 3,370 480 559 2,246 2,805 -9,604 8,830 -774 
			 1998–99 214,132 96,329 310,461 3,276 454 37 1,615 1,652 -29,900 27,341 -2,559 
			 1999–2000 184,232 123,670 307,902 3,708 1,322 26 1,589 1,615 -14,089 11,870 -2,219 
			 2000–01 170,143 135,540 305,683 3,157 945 23 1,788 1,811 -14,269 12,308 -1,961 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Dwelling stock: Local authority owned dwellings include those outside the authority' geographical area.
	2. RTB Sales: (Local Authority) Sales to sitting tenants under RTB legislation; other sales, transfers and disposals are reflected under "net stock change". (Registered Social Landlords) RTB data not collected prior to 1995–96.
	3. New dwellings completed: New-build completions as reported by local authorities. Excludes acquisitions of existing stock and "off-the-shelf" purchases of private developments.
	4. Net stock change: Calculated as the year-on-year change in reported dwelling stock each April. This reflects all gains and losses arising from sales, transfers and disposals (eg under LSVT arrangements), new construction, acquisitions, conversions and demolitions.
	Source:
	DTLR Housing Investment Programme returns (annual), P1B returns (quarterly), P2 returns (monthly), Housing Corporation CORE returns

Public Services

Virginia Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what steps he is taking to ensure that district authorities have the flexibility to fund and deliver high-quality public services to local people.

Nick Raynsford: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Alan Whitehead) to the hon. Member for Mid-Dorset and North Poole (Mrs. Brooke) on 7 May 2002, Official Report, column 26W.

London Underground

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  whether the Government will provide legally binding guarantees to support the finance raised by Metronet and Tube Lines;
	(2)  what the maximum amount of financial support for the PPP contractors is that is covered by letters of comfort from the Government.

David Jamieson: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 18 March 2002, Official Report, column 18W and to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Transport to the right hon. and learned Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Mr. Howard) on 18 April 2002, Official Report, column 1107W.

London Underground

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many underground stations will be improved up to 2009; and how many were planned to be improved in the original PPP proposal.

David Jamieson: The PPP is designed to improve the quality, reliability and capacity of every underground line in a coordinated programme to modernise the entire tube network. Details of the contractual requirements are a matter for London Underground, but I understand that more than 200 stations will be improved by 2009. This is in line with the original objectives for the PPP.

London Underground

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he expects the final safety case for the London Underground PPP to be completed.

David Jamieson: No timetable or deadline has been set by the Government. The HSE will take the time it needs.

London Underground

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what capacity increases the PPP scheme will lead to during the first seven and a half years of operation.

David Jamieson: The PPP is designed to improve the quality, reliability and capacity of every underground line in a co-ordinated programme to modernise the entire tube network. Details of the contractual requirements are a matter for London Underground, but I understand that during the first seven and a half year contract period projects to increase the capacity of the Jubilee, Central and Waterloo and City lines will be completed.
	In addition, work to increase the capacity of the Victoria, Northern, Hammersmith and City, Circle and Metropolitan lines will be well under way, including the introduction of new signalling and new trains on some lines. Further capacity increases will follow during the second seven and a half year contract period.

London Underground

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what rights the PPP providers have to withdraw from the contracts at the end of the first seven and a half year period.

David Jamieson: Details of the contracts are a matter for London Underground, but I understand they do not provide infrastructure companies with a unilateral right to withdraw from the contracts at the end of the first seven and a half year period and that London Underground has a range of contractual rights to ensure the contract continues if it wishes.

London Underground

Rosemary McKenna: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on progress with plans for modernisation of the London Underground.

Stephen Byers: I have been advised by the board of London Regional Transport that London Underground Ltd. has today signed public-private partnership contracts to modernise and maintain London Underground's infrastructure.
	There are three contracts, which will each run for 30 years. Those for two of the infrastructure companies will go to Metronet, and the third to the Tube Lines Group.
	In my statement to the House on 7 February I set out why the Government supported London Transport's decision that it was minded to proceed with the tube modernisation plans. The Government have consistently set out three key tests that the plans must pass if they are to proceed: that they are not a privatisation; that they should offer value for money; and that they should be safe for both passengers and staff.
	I am satisfied that the modernisation plans are not a privatisation. The ownership of the assets, and the operation of the public service, stay in the public sector. It is also likely that the assets will continue to be scored on London Underground's balance sheet, in the public sector.
	I am also satisfied that the arrangements offer value for money, when judged against alternative proposals. At my request, Ernst and Young reviewed London Underground's original value for money assessment and confirmed that, overall, London Underground's methodology for assessing value for money was robust, and that London Underground's recommendation that the PPP proposals deliver value for money, while subjective, was supported by its analysis. Since then, Ernst and Young has reviewed the work done by London Underground to update the value for money assessment in respect of material changes to the contracts. They confirmed that London Underground's approach was consistent with that used for the previous report. I have placed a copy of their update in the Library of the House.
	The Health and Safety Executive has still to reach a final judgment on London Underground's revised Railway Safety Case. The position therefore remains that the tube modernisation plans will only proceed if the independent regulator accepts the safety arrangements for both passengers and staff.
	Subject to approval of the safety case, I share London Regional Transport's belief that the modernisation plans are the right solution and offer significant benefits for Londoners.
	Fares will continue to be set by the Mayor of London. The modernisation plans do not require fares to rise faster than inflation.
	The three contracts are intended to take effect by the summer. I notified Parliament on 20 March that I was considering issuing a comfort letter in support of each of the contracts. My intention is that such comfort letters should be issued shortly before the transactions are completed.
	London Regional Transport's decision has been taken in the light of an extensive consultation with Transport for London. London Regional Transport has accepted some of the points Transport for London has made, and made changes to the contracts accordingly.
	I fully support the decision taken today by the board of London Regional Transport and look forward to the modernisation plans coming into operation.
	It remains my intention that the ownership of London Underground will be transferred to Transport for London as soon as possible.

West Coast Main Line

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what representations have been received from the Scottish Executive regarding the upgrade of the West Coast Main Line.

David Jamieson: My Department is in contact with the Scottish Executive on a wide range of issues, including the upgrade of the West Coast Main Line.

West Coast Main Line

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what his latest estimate is of the cost of upgrading the West Coast Main Line (a) North and (b) South of the Scotland/ England border.

David Jamieson: The precise outputs of the West Coast upgrade are currently under review by the Strategic Rail Authority and the key stakeholders. Until the outputs are agreed, estimated costs of the upgrade will not be known.

Rail Freight Operators

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what protection exists, and whether it is his policy that protection should exist, to protect rail freight operators against increases in track access charges by the rail regulator.

David Jamieson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 2 May 2002, Official Report, column 901W.

Deep Sea Ports

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what guidelines he issues to ensure that planning gain for transport is balanced between rail and road modes when considering the development of deep sea ports.

Stephen Byers: I refer the hon. Member to the Government's policy paper on ports, "Modern Ports", published in November 2000, a copy of which is in the Libraries of the House.

Bus Services

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many complaints were registered with each passenger transport authority against bus operators, broken down by name of operator, in each of the last three years.

Sally Keeble: This information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Individual passenger transport authorities may, however, be able to provide information about complaints they have received.

Bus Services

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the total bus subsidies paid in each of the past four years were in (a) urban and (b) rural areas.

Sally Keeble: Data are not collected in the precise form requested. The table summarises the available data on public financial support for local bus services in England.
	
		£ million 
		
			  1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 
		
		
			  Concessionary fares reimbursement by local authorities 
			 London and metropolitan areas 286 289 289 301 
			 Rest of England 104 103 102 113 
			   
			  Local authority service subsidies(13) 
			 London and metropolitan areas 99 121 119 209 
			 Rest of England 86 110 127 135 
			   
			  Fuel duty rebate from central Government 
			 London 30 37 46 47 
			 Rest of England 157 185 231 254 
		
	
	(13) This comprises Revenue Support Grant funding for local authorities, funding from London Transport/Transport for London and expenditure under the Rural Bus Subsidy Grant scheme.
	Note:
	Data on expenditure on fuel duty rebate to bus services in metropolitan areas are not kept separately.

School Transport (Safety)

David Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions for what reason the law compelling children on school coaches to wear seat belts does not apply to children on double decker buses when those buses are being used for school transport; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The design of many of these bus types makes it technically difficult for them to be fitted with adequate seat belts. Also, the types of passenger journeys on these vehicles are such that the need for belts and the likelihood of their being used are less than on faster long-distance journeys. We would expect the service provider to take into account the type of vehicle and provision of seat belts when specifying the vehicle for the service.

Bus Security

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  if he will introduce regulations to require bus operators to install and keep in good order bus radio/alarm systems;
	(2)  if he will take steps to ensure bus companies provide improved security for bus workers against assault by passengers and other drivers.

Sally Keeble: I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Baillieston (Mr. Wray) on 1 May 2002, Official Report, column 815W.

Bus Security

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will convene a meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee to ensure a co-ordinated approach with the devolved Administrations to prevent assaults on bus workers.

Sally Keeble: The Government are committed to raising awareness and addressing the issue of assaults on bus staff through research and good practice guidance for public transport operators and encouraging transport policing initiatives. I can assure my hon. Friend that my Department and the devolved Administrations discuss issues relating to the bus industry, including staff safety and security, when appropriate.

MI (Services)

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions for what reason he is allowing the rebuilding of the motorway services at junction 15A of the M1 motorway on a site which would not permit motorway widening without its subsequent demolition.

David Jamieson: We have no present plans to widen the M1 at this point. In any case, while the proposed alterations to the service area do involve the replacement of some existing buildings with new ones, we are satisfied that the changes are likely if anything to make future widening proposals more, rather than less, straightforward to implement.

M27

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  when the roadworks on Junctions 2 to 4 on the M27 will be completed;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on the reasons for the delay in completing the roadworks on Junctions 2 to 4 on the M27.

David Jamieson: I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Tim Matthews, to write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Tim Matthews to Sandra Gidley, dated 8 May 2002
	I have been asked by the Transport Minister, David Jamieson, to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about roadworks on the M27 between Junctions 2 and 4.
	Weather permitting, the works will be completed by the end of June. The delay has been due, in part, to technical difficulties encountered during construction. Drainage through the environmentally sensitive River Test Valley proved more difficult than originally anticipated and to make up the time, the contractor has increased his resources and changed his working methods.

MOX Fuel Shipment

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will place in the Library a copy of the approval documents he has issued to British Nuclear Fuels for the transport package which will be used to transport the faulty MOX fuel it supplied to Japan back to Sellafield.

David Jamieson: I am arranging for copies to be placed in the Libraries of the House of that part of the approval document certifying approval of design and shipment.

MOX Fuel Shipment

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if the approval process for the transport package which will be used to transport the faulty MOX fuel from Japan to Sellafield has taken into account whether the package is filled with argon gas or water; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The approval process has taken into account all material within the package.

Dangerous Driving

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will implement the recommendations contained in the report, Dangerous Driving and the Law; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The report raises a number of important points about the operation of the law on dangerous driving. We are considering these with other government departments with a view to reaching conclusions on the report's recommendations as soon as possible.

Aviation Industry

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he will make an announcement about the provision of new airport capacity in the south-east.

David Jamieson: We intend to publish a consultation paper the outcome of which will inform the Aviation White Paper, which we hope to publish before the end of the year.

Aviation Industry

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what steps he is taking to encourage best practice in the types of airport consultation that are required under section 35 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982.

David Jamieson: The then Department of Transport produced Guidelines for Airport Consultative Committees in December 1987. These stand as the current DTLR advice, and copies are available free on demand. In the 'Future of Aviation' consultation, we invited and received various views on whether and how it would be useful to update this guidance, and a decision on this will be taken in due course.
	Specific guidance is also available about airport transport forums and airport surface access strategies (including recommendations on consultation), on the Department's web site.

Aviation Industry

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent assessment he has made of the implications of the practice of foreign airliner wet-leasing by United Kingdom airlines on the economic well-being of the domestic aviation industry; what representations he has received about the practice of foreign airliner wet-leasing by United Kingdom airlines; what proposals he has to introduce regulations to restrict wet-leasing of aircraft; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: Aircraft leasing by UK airlines is governed by European Community law. My Department continuously monitors wet-leasing applications to ensure compliance with Community law, including the requirement that UK airlines do not become excessively dependent on aircraft registered outside the European Economic Area. There are currently eleven passenger and thirteen freighter aircraft wet-leased to UK carriers for periods approaching a traffic season, of which five passenger and eleven freighter aircraft are registered outside the EEA. Five of these aircraft are in process of transfer to the UK register.
	My Department's Transparent Procedures for handling leasing applications include provisions whereby interested parties can make representations about individual applications both to the Civil Aviation Authority and to my Secretary of State. In addition my Department receives regular correspondence on the subject of wet-leasing. I consider that the ability to wet-lease foreign registered aircraft within the constraints of Community law enhances the operational efficiency of UK airlines and contributes to the economic well-being of the UK aviation industry. I have no plans to pursue regulations, which could only be introduced at Community level, to place further restrictions on wet-leasing by UK airlines.

Transport Safety

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent guidance he has issued to the operators of public service vehicles in relation to reasonable precautions to be taken to ensure safety of passengers after they have entered a vehicle but before they have become seated.

David Jamieson: The Public Service Vehicles (Conduct of Drivers, Inspectors, Conductors and Passengers) Regulations 1990 require bus drivers and conductors (where present) to take all reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of passengers who are on, or who are entering or leaving, the vehicle.

Transport Safety

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on his Department's review of the organisational arrangements for transport safety.

David Jamieson: The review of transport safety was conducted in 1999–2000, in response to important recommendations from the Transport Select Committee. Copies of the report of the review group's analysis and the results of its related consultation were provided to the committee, and put in the Libraries of the House, on 9 June 2000. In a parliamentary reply, that same day, my hon. Friend the Member for Streatham (Keith Hill) advised the House that the Government had concluded that it would be wrong to take a view on possibly fundamental changes to the organisation of transport safety before Ministers had been able to consider the report of the public inquiry into the Ladbroke Grove crash, which was looking among other things at rail safety management, culture and regulation.
	In part two of his inquiry report published in September last year Lord Cullen recommended that a Rail Accident Investigation Branch be established, noting that this would not conflict with a cross-modal accident investigation body if in due course the Government decided one should be pursued. We are very glad to have had the committee's thinking on more integrated arrangements for transport safety, for which there are arguments meriting careful consideration. We have taken the view that the emphasis in the first place should be on getting in place the new Rail Accident Investigation Branch and the new Rail Industry Safety Body. But we will then be returning to the question of new cross-modal safety arrangements, and considering further the views expressed by the committee and by others.

Channel Tunnel

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will bring an action against the French Government for their record in observing the free movement of provisions of the treaty of Rome with respect to freight movements through the channel tunnel.

Melanie Johnson: I have been asked to reply.
	The Commission has already invoked the Free Movement of Goods Regulation in this case. We remain in close contact with France and the Commission about action to resolve the problems affecting rail freight traffic through the channel tunnel.

Planning Appeal, Willaton Work House

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he will determine the outcome of the appeal on the Workhouse in Willaton, Somerset.

Kim Howells: I have been asked to reply.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has decided not to confirm the compulsory purchase order on the Willaton Work House, Somerset. A formal decision letter has been issued to Somerset county council and the owners of the building.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Policing Costs (London)

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what studies he has recently commissioned regarding the costs of policing the London metropolitan area; and what studies he has taken into account relating to cities of similar size abroad.

John Denham: holding answer 4 March 2002
	I have commissioned no specific research but the Metropolitan police service have recently commissioned research from the London School of Economics to establish a list of major cities world-wide against which the MPS could be benchmarked.

Government Funding

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for South-West Bedfordshire (Andrew Selous) of 25 January 2002, Official Report, columns 1185–86W, on Government funding of the voluntary sector, if he will list the grant schemes and other mechanisms by which (a) the Home Office, (b) the Youth Justice Board and (c) the Probation Service distributes funding to voluntary sector organisations.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 19 April 2002
	Information on the main grant schemes for Home Office, Youth Justice Board and Probation Service funding to the voluntary sector is detailed as follows.
	(a) Home Office
	Active Community Main Grants
	Capital Modernisation Programme
	Communities Against Drugs Initiative
	Connecting Communities Grant
	Crime Reduction Partnerships
	Crime Reduction Programme
	Drug Testing Pilot
	Drugs Action Team: Development Funding
	Drugs Prevention Advisory Service
	Family Support Grants
	Mentoring Fund
	Organisations for mentally disordered offenders
	Positive Futures
	Race Equality Grant
	Reception and Re-settlement of Refugees
	Reducing Racial Disadvantage Grant
	Secure Training Centres
	Summer Activities Scheme
	Time Limited Development Fund
	UN Drugs Control Programme
	Victim Support Schemes
	(b) Youth Justice Board
	Round 8: Mentoring Help with Numeracy and Literacy
	Dual Bids
	Mentoring Plus for Minority Ethnic Young Offenders
	Round 9: Small Bids for Voluntary Organisations
	Summer Splash Schemes
	(c) National Probation Directorate
	Central Partnership Grants Scheme
	Dangerous Offenders Unit—Project Grant
	Hostels Revenue Grant.

Criminal Responsibility

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement regarding the age of criminal responsibility.

Beverley Hughes: The age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales is 10. We need to nip early offending in the bud and reinforce young people's sense of personal responsibility for their behaviour. Timely intervention can make a difference and most young people of that age are mature enough to know the difference between right and wrong, to take responsibility for their behaviour and to cope with the operation of criminal law.
	The Government's youth justice reforms ensure that young offenders receive appropriate interventions to make them understand and take responsibility for their offending behaviour, and are subject to programmes which directly tackle the causes of their offending.

Hare Coursing

Gillian Merron: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  if he will establish a power of arrest for persons found committing an offence under the Game Act 1831;
	(2)  what plans he has to amend the Game Act 1831 to give police more powers in relation to illegal hare coursing;
	(3)  if he will increase the penalties for illegal hare coursing to over £5,000;
	(4)  if he will establish a power of seizure of vehicles being used by illegal hare coursers.

John Denham: There is no immediate intention to strengthen legislation relating to illegal hare coursing or to increase relevant fines. The police and the courts already have extensive powers and substantial penalties available to them in dealing with this issue.
	Depending upon the exact circumstances the police may be able to arrest alleged offenders and a court may have the capacity to order forfeiture of vehicles used in committing or facilitating an offence.
	Offences relevant to the disorder sometimes associated with illegal hare coursing are contained in the Public Order Act 1986. They include, for example, an offence of intentionally using threatening, abusing or insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress. There is also the more serious offence of violent disorder which carries a maximum sentence of five years' imprisonment.

Recruitment

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many net additional staff his Department has recruited in each month since June 2001 at (a) executive officer level and (b) administrative level.

Angela Eagle: I am sorry for the delay in replying. For the period June 2001 to March/April 2002 the net additional staff recruited to the Home Office and its agencies in the grades requested are set out in the following tables.
	
		(i) The main Home Office (centrally managed, Immigration and Nationality Directorate, and managed by Merseyside Management unit)
		
			  Entrants to Department Leavers Net intake  
			  EOs AOs/AAs EOs AOs/AAs EOs AOs/AAs 
			  Recruitment Other Recruitment Other 
		
		
			 June 2001 34 54 139 178 19 56 69 261 
			 July 2001 50 9 215 12 14 46 45 181 
			 August 2001 44 7 164 3 34 136 17 31 
			 September 2001 23 13 197 14 46 172 -10 39 
			 October 2001 10 11 145 3 16 60 5 88 
			 November 2001 6 6 107 5 20 55 -8 57 
			 December 2001 5 1 93 2 22 53 -16 42 
			 January 2002 24 11 192 7 40 78 -5 121 
			 February 2002 51 10 182 11 38 85 23 108 
			 March 2002 27 5 185 3 58 142 -26 46 
			 April 2002 33 7 110 2 12 21 28 91 
			 Total 307 134 1,729 240 319 904 122 1,065 
		
	
	Note:
	The word recruitment is used in the strict sense and does not include transfers from other Government Departments, transfer of functions, etc., which are in other.
	
		(ii) Forensic Science Service
		
			  Entrants to Departments Leavers Net intake  
			  EOs AOs/AAs EOs AOs/AAs EOs AOs/AAs 
			  Recruitment Other Recruitment Other 
		
		
			 June 2001 6 0 35 0 6 12 0 23 
			 July 2001 1 0 28 0 0 12 1 16 
			 August 2001 2 0 23 0 3 14 -1 9 
			 September 2001 8 0 61 1 5 20 3 42 
			 October 2001 5 1 28 1 5 11 1 18 
			 November 2001 0 0 15 0 5 12 -5 3 
			 December 2001 2 0 7 0 2 9 0 -2 
			 January 2002 1 0 11 1 1 5 0 7 
			 February 2002 19 0 23 1 4 5 15 19 
			 March 2002 1 0 6 0 0 7 1 -1 
			 April 2002 11 0 7 0 3 4 8 3 
			 Total 56 1 244 4 34 111 23 137 
		
	
	Note:
	The word recruitment is used in the strict sense and does not include transfers from other Government Departments, transfer of functions, etc., which are in other.
	
		(iii) United Kingdom Passport and Criminal Record Agency
		
			   New recruits  Leavers  Net intake  
			  EO grade Admin grade EO grade Admin grade EO grade Admin grade 
		
		
			 June 2001 3 31 1 23 2 8 
			 July 2001 16 65 3 30 13 35 
			 August 2001 3 39 1 45 2 -6 
			 September 2001 3 22 4 65 -1 -43 
			 October 2001 7 58 2 14 5 44 
			 November 2001 16 29 5 51 11 -22 
			 December 2001 1 25 0 5 1 20 
			 January 2002 3 58 8 22 -5 36 
			 February 2002 2 65 3 15 -1 50 
			 March 2002 3 55 4 17 -1 38 
			  
			 Total 57 447 31 287 26 160 
		
	
	
		(iv) Prison service agency
		
			   Newly recruited  Leavers  Net intake  
			  EOs AOs/AAs EOs AOs/AAs EOs AOs/AAs 
		
		
			 June 2001 4 100 4 50 0 50 
			 July 2001 5 101 4 57 1 44 
			 August 2001 1 61 9 70 -8 -9 
			 September 2001 2 92 4 97 -2 -5 
			 October 2001 1 80 4 45 -3 35 
			 November 2001 2 87 8 39 -6 48 
			 December 2001 0 53 3 30 -3 23 
			 January 2002 2 93 8 58 -6 35 
			 February 2002 0 77 9 43 -9 34 
			 March 2002 0 73 4 53 -4 20 
			  
			 Total 17 817 57 542 -40 275 
		
	
	Note:
	Recruitment would include transfers from other Government Departments, but not from the main Home Office.

Street Crime

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the level of street crime in each Metropolitan Police division between January and March in each year from 1997 to 2002.

John Denham: holding answer 25 April 2002
	The Home Office did not collect borough figures prior to April 1999 and does not publish monthly or quarterly statistics. The Home Office will publish national statistics for the year 2001–02 in the summer in its crime bulletin. The Metropolitan police have already published figures for this period, which are available on its website. The table contains figures for total recorded robberies (including robberies of personal property and business property) in London boroughs for 1999–2000 and 2000–01.
	The Metropolitan police force area is one of the 10 areas included in the Government's wider street crime initiative, which involves a concerted response to street crime across all the criminal justice and social agencies.
	The 10 Force Street Crime initiative began in April 2002 across the 10 force areas with the biggest robbery problem. The police and criminal justice agencies are working together in these areas to target and fast-track all street crime offenders. The initiative also brings together the resources and expertise of non-criminal justice system agencies to help tackle the causes of street crime and take preventative action.
	
		Metropolitan police—total robbery offences by Basic Command Unit (BCU) Financial years 1999–2000 to 2000–01—based on force boundary since 1 April 2000
		
			   Year ending  
			 BCU March 2000 March 2001 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham 514 731 
			 Barnet 876 1,041 
			 Bexley 289 417 
			 Brent 2,014 1,941 
			 Bromley 518 685 
			 Camden 1,645 1,906 
			 Croydon 1,094 1,568 
			 Ealing 1,702 1,510 
			 Enfield 1,013 1,163 
			 Greenwich 471 469 
			 Hackney 2,437 2,275 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 853 911 
			 Haringey 2,008 2,340 
			 Harrow 607 559 
			 Havering 240 392 
			 Heathrow airport 6 6 
			 Hillingdon 401 472 
			 Hounslow 574 717 
			 Islington 1,761 1,511 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 828 991 
			 Kingston-upon-Thames 175 245 
			 Lambeth 3,390 4,691 
			 Lewisham 1,277 1,547 
			 Merton 321 397 
			 Newham 1,736 2,106 
			 Redbridge 652 900 
			 Richmond-upon-Thames 160 236 
			 Southwark 2,008 2,162 
			 Sutton 228 240 
			 Tower Hamlets 1,589 1,757 
			 Waltham Forest 943 1,281 
			 Wandsworth 1,217 1,427 
			 Westminster 2,468 2,397 
			 'Squads' 0 1 
			  
			 Grand total 36,015 40,992

Crime (Wales)

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on trends in crime levels in Wales in the last 12 months.

John Denham: The most recent data available are for the year ending 31 March 2001. The table compares the number of offences in the main crime categories for that year with the previous year.
	
		Recorded crimes in Wales
		
			 Offence group 1999–2000(14) hw22000–01(14) Percentage change 
		
		
			 Violence against the person 37,922 38,230 1 
			 Sexual offences 1,749 1,702 -3 
			 Robbery 909 890 -2 
			 Burglary 36,764 32,883 -11 
			 Theft and handling stolen goods 98,727 89,035 -10 
			 Fraud and forgery 11,889 10,449 -12 
			 Criminal damage 54,926 53,287 -3 
			 Drug offences 8,520 8,351 -2 
			 Other offences 4,081 3,622 -11 
			  
			 Total recorded crime 255,487 238,449 -7 
		
	
	(14) Years ending March

Police Powers

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the ability of police officers to cross police authority boundaries when pursuing suspected criminals.

John Denham: There is no restriction on police officers crossing police boundaries when pursuing suspected criminals. Guidance issued to police forces by the Association of Chief Police Officers advises that when police officers cross boundaries in such circumstances they should hand over the pursuit as soon as possible to the police force whose area they have crossed into.

Wolvercote Clinic

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if it is his policy that the Wolvercote clinic should close.

Beverley Hughes: It is our intention to maintain the services provided by the Wolvercote clinic but in a new location, as yet to be determined.

Air Weapons

Joyce Quin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment he has made of the cost of introducing a certification regime for the holding of air weapons.

John Denham: We have not made a detailed assessment of the costs of introducing a certification regime for air weapons, but as there are an estimated 4 million air weapons in circulation it is clear that the resource implications for police firearms licensing departments would be very substantial.

Antisocial Behaviour

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the Government have to introduce new measures to tackle antisocial behaviour.

John Denham: Tackling antisocial behaviour calls for a cross-Government approach. Among the many actions we are taking are the introduction of community safety officers and measures in the Police Reform Bill to enhance the effectiveness of antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs). We are also consulting on further measures to deal with the problems of antisocial tenants and of abandoned vehicles.

Prison Service

John Maples: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost to public spending was of the diversity training programme within the prison service; and how long it will take for all relevant prison staff to have completed the programme.

Beverley Hughes: The total cost, met from an award from the Cabinet Office Invest to Modernise fund, was £715,000. All staff should have been trained within the next two to three years.

Prison Service

John Maples: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much his department has contributed to the gays and lesbians in the prison service support group.

Beverley Hughes: Support from the prison service has largely been advisory for this staff support network. A small amount of funding (less than £2,000) has been given towards the cost of leaflets and posters.

Sentencing

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many men held in prisons in England and Wales who are serving a sentence of over five years were charged with offences involving (a) violence and (b) non-violent crime.

Beverley Hughes: The table shows the number of males who were serving sentences of over five years in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales on the 31 March 2002, broken down by offence group.
	
		
			 Offence group Number of prisoners 
		
		
			 Violence against the person 6,126 
			 Sex offences 3,391 
			 Drug offences 3,341 
			 Robbery 2,549 
			 Burglary 845 
			 Other offences 638 
			 Theft and handling 137 
			 Fraud and forgery 76 
			 Offence not recorded 73

Car Theft

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cars have been stolen in the past two years for which figures are available; and what steps he is taking to reduce the incidence of car theft.

John Denham: During the year 1999–2000 there were 374,686 recorded thefts and attempted thefts of motor vehicles in England and Wales and 338,796 during 2000–01. The information available does not distinguish between cars and other motor vehicles.
	The Vehicle Crime Reduction Action Team (VCRAT) was set up in September 1998 to develop and oversee the implementation of initiatives to meet the Government's target to reduce vehicle crime by 30 per cent. over five years. They published their proposals for achieving the target on 22 September 1999.
	The main proposals include improved security on new and used cars; improved car park security; better policing and community responses which target prolific offenders and crime hotspots; and new procedures at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. The Vehicles (Crime) Act 2001 took forward VCRAT recommendations for regulation of the motor salvage industry and controls on the supply of vehicle number plates and we expect to implement these provisions progressively between August 2002 and April 2003.

Prison Albany

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason the Prison Service's application for planning permission to extend HMP Albany was made under emergency procedures.

Beverley Hughes: The prison population has risen considerably, and on 30 April 2002 was provisionally estimated at 70,578, an increase of 7.5 per cent. (nearly 5,000 prisoners) on the number held in April 2001. Because of the urgent need to provide additional accommodation at existing prisons, including Albany, applications for planning clearance have had to be submitted under the special urgency procedure of Department of the Environment Circular 18/84 which gives the local planning authority 14 days from the date of receipt to submit any comments.
	Planning clearance was requested on 11 April 2002 from the Isle of Wight council for the construction of Albany prison of one, two storey 40-place ready to use unit with a single storey ancillary building, within the secure perimeter of the prison. The council advised us on 24 April 2002 that their Development Control Committee had resolved to raise no objection to the proposal. The Prison Service will be writing separately to the hon. Member with further details of their proposals.

Racial Equality

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what evaluation he has made of the quality of the consultation by the CRE on the draft code of practice on the duty to promote racial equality; how many consultees in each category responded; and what proportion they represented of all consultees.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 30 April 2002
	The Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) issued about 45,000 consultation packs to all listed public authorities and a range of voluntary sector organisations for information. The consultation pack was accompanied by a consultation feedback questionnaire which could be returned both via surface mail or completed on-line.
	We are aware that of the 8,000 packs sent to parish councils, at least 27 were received only shortly before or even after the end of the consultation period. This was unacceptable. All parish councils who contacted the CRE to complain were given a two week extension and could respond until 15 March 2002.
	The CRE received 974 responses to the consultation questionnaire including a number of collated responses from representative bodies and Government Departments. 87 parish councils responded.
	In terms of clarity 85.6 per cent. of respondents found the draft statutory code mainly or completely clear. 82.8 per cent. of respondents found the draft code fairly or very easy to understand and 77.4 per cent. of respondents found the draft code either very or fairly easy to follow.
	A range of promotional and consultative conferences with public and voluntary sector organisations complemented the written consultation exercise. The conferences and seminars were favourably received and were used to both inform the public sector of the new duty and to receive feedback and clarify issues raised in the consultation pack.
	The following is the breakdown of the categories of responses to the consultation exercise.
	
		
			 Categories by sector Number of responses Percentage 
		
		
			 Central Government 15 1.5 
			 Local government(15) 218 22.4 
			 Health 55 5.6 
			 Police/criminal justice 24 2.5 
			 Schools 403 41.4 
			 Further/higher education 70 7.2 
			 Non-departmental public bodies 27 2.8 
			 Voluntary sector 18 1.8 
			 Trade unions 8 0.8 
			 Other 23 2.4 
			 Unclassified 113 11.6 
			 Total respondents 974 100 
		
	
	(15) Includes parish councils

Anti-Semitism

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the recent anti-Semitic attacks on Jews and Jewish property in London.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 7 May 2002
	The Government condemn all acts of racism, anti-Semitism and religious intolerance. We are fully committed to tackling these manifestations of a vile hatred. That is why we extended the scope of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to cover religiously as well as racially aggravated offences and why we increased the maximum penalty for inciting racial hatred from two to seven years imprisonment. The investigation of race hate crime is also a priority for the police, who work closely with the community and who are treating these recent incidents with the seriousness which they clearly deserve.

Europol

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what steps he plans to take to improve the democratic accountability of Europol;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the democratic control over Europol.

Bob Ainsworth: The Commission's Communication is a welcome contribution to the continuing debate on the democratic accountability of Europol. Under the terms of the Europol convention the Director is accountable to the Europol management board on which the individual member states are represented. The Commission's Communication concludes that the existing controls are not legally insufficient given the limited nature of Europol's powers.
	The Government are consulting interested parties and will respond when the matter is next debated within the Council structure.

National Criminal Intelligence Service

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what additional resources are planned to be made available to NCIS for the anticipated increase in money laundering reporting by professionals following the Proceeds of Crime Bill.

Bob Ainsworth: The Home Office made an extra £250,000 available to the National Criminal Intelligence Service in 2000–01 to fund additional staff for the Economic Crime Branch, which handles suspicious transaction reports. The extra funding was increased to £1.8 million last year and will continue this year. The National Criminal Intelligence Service increased the staffing of the branch from 24 in August 2000 to 66 in December 2001, and a further increase of up to 20 staff is planned for 2002–03.
	The Home Office and National Criminal Intelligence Service will keep the Service's capacity to deal with suspicious transaction reports under review following commencement of the new money laundering offences in the Proceeds of Crime Bill with a view to ensuring that an effective service is maintained.
	The funding referred to above is separate from an additional £1 million which has been provisionally earmarked for 2002–03 for tracking terrorist finances. This will provide funding for a multi-agency unit at the National Criminal Intelligence Service, supported by additional investigative capacity at the Metropolitan Police Service.

National Criminal Intelligence Service

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the length of time is before solicitors, accountants and financial advisers who report suspected money laundering to NCIS receiving guidance on how to proceed (a) on average and (b) in the 20 per cent. of cases where NCIS is slowest to give guidance.

Bob Ainsworth: Information is not available in this form. I am informed by the National Criminal Intelligence Service that in all cases where guidance is sought about the making of a suspicious transaction report, advice is immediately available by telephone through the help desk within the Economic Crime Branch. When a report is made and identified by the Economic Crime Branch as requiring a prompt law enforcement response, it is processed under a fast track system within 24 hours and forwarded to the relevant law enforcement agency for any necessary action.
	We are considering tabling amendments to the Proceeds of Crime Bill in order to introduce time limits within which law enforcement should either give or withhold consent for a financial transaction that has not yet taken place, where it has been reported as suspicious.

Sex Offenders

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) men and (b) women are on the sex offenders register.

Beverley Hughes: The Sex Offenders Act 1997 requires offenders cautioned for, convicted of, or found not guilty by reason of insanity of an offence specified in schedule 1 to the Act to provide certain details to the police. There is, however, no "register" of sex offenders, as such; nor are sex offenders subject to the requirements of the Act separately identified as such in criminal statistics.
	Until recently, data on the number of sex offenders subject to the requirements of the Act were collated biannually on a national basis from the police national computer. However, this arrangement has been overtaken following guidance issued by the Home Office in respect of the provisions in section 67 of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000. The guidance requires information about the number of sex offenders subject to the Act's requirements in each police area to be published on an annual basis starting in 2002 and local systems are being put in place to deliver this. Until these systems are in place information on the number of sex offenders subject to the Act's requirements could be obtained only by a specific exercise by the particular police force concerned. We have no plans to break down published figures further.

Sex Offenders

David Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) men and (b) women who are on the Sex Offenders Register reside in (i) Spelthorne and (ii) Surrey.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 7 May 2002
	The Sex Offenders Act 1997 requires offenders cautioned for, convicted of, or found not guilty by reason of insanity of an offence specified in schedule 1 to the Act to provide certain details to the police. There is, however, no "register" of sex offenders, as such; nor are sex offenders subject to the requirements of the Act separately identified as such in criminal statistics.
	Until recently, data on the number of sex offenders subject to the requirements of the Act were collated biannually on a national basis from the police national computer. However, this arrangement has been overtaken following guidance issued by the Home Office in respect of the provisions in section 67 of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000. The guidance requires information about the number of sex offenders subject to the Act's requirements in each police area to be published on an annual basis starting in 2002 and local systems are being put in place to deliver this. We have no plans to require publication by constituency or to break down published figures further. Until these systems are in place information on the number of sex offenders subject to the Act's requirements could be obtained only by a specific exercise by a particular police force concerned.

Sex Offenders

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many sex offender orders have been made to date in each police force area in England and Wales; how many have been (a) discharged and (b) breached; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: We have been informed of 96 sex offender orders made by the courts between 1 December 1998, when the provisions were implemented, and 31 December 2001. Figures by police force area are not available for the entire period.
	We have been informed of three successful breach prosecutions during 1999 and 21 during 2000, the most recent period for which published data are available. We have a provisional figure of 28 further prosecutions for the first three quarters of 2001. These data are not available broken down by area. Information on discharges of sex offender orders is not routinely collected.

Child Pornography

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the national arrangements are in the gathering of information on children involved in cases of child pornography.

Beverley Hughes: It is the Government view that every image of child pornography depicts an instance of child abuse. As such, when a child is successfully identified from an image by law enforcement, the relevant local authority will be contacted.
	The core interagency child protection guidance: "Working Together to Safeguard Children", sets out the role and responsibilities of agencies and practitioners and how these agencies should work together to promote children's welfare and protect them from abuse. The guidance lays down the procedure to be followed in a case of child abuse form the initial referral of the victim to the local authority right through, where necessary, to registration on the Child Protection Register.
	Additionally, the United Kingdom, through National Criminal Intelligent Service, is currently leading the development of an international database of child abuse images, to the held at Interpol. The image database will greatly assist in the identification of victims world wide and will hold all United Kingdom images. The feasibility study supporting the development process will be completed this year.

Asylum Seekers

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the (a) nationality and (b) future rights of those no longer eligible for the special voucher scheme.

Angela Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the comments made by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary during the second reading of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill on 24 April 2002, Official Report, column 354.

Asylum Seekers

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultation was carried out prior to the abolition of the special voucher scheme.

Angela Eagle: We consulted with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and entry clearance posts abroad on the current use of the scheme and the implications of its abolition.

Asylum Seekers

Shaun Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which detention centres for asylum seekers (a) provide and (b) have provided on-site education; for each centre that provided on-site education which (i) private and (ii) public organisation provided the education; and what elements of the national curriculum are followed in each of the centres.

Angela Eagle: In addition to the provision of adult education at removal centres, there is provision for on-site education of children at Harmondsworth and Dungavel removal centres. There was also provision for education at Yarl's Wood removal centre.
	Harmondsworth removal centre is managed and operated by UK Detention Services. Dungavel removal centre is managed and operated by Premier Detention Services Ltd. In both cases, the contractor makes provision for education and employs suitably qualified staff as managers of education.
	The profile and numbers of children at an immigration removal centre changes from day to day. Education provision at the centres needs therefore to be sufficiently flexible to cater for the needs of a variable number of children of variable ages and abilities.
	In both Harmondsworth and Dungavel a programme of modular education is delivered. These programmes concentrate on numeracy and literacy and the national curriculum, and the Scottish equivalent for Dungavel, provides the framework from which these programmes have been developed.

Asylum Seekers

Shaun Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost per pupil of education provision in detention centres has been in the last year for which figures are available.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 23 April 2002
	No figures are available. The cost of adult and child education provision will differ from removal centre to removal centre and will form just one element of the overall cost of the contracts to run the individual centres.

Prison Population

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes have occurred in the (a) numbers and (b) percentages of (i) women and (ii) men imprisoned in each of the past 10 years; and what his estimate is of the likely changes in the next three years.

Beverley Hughes: The information requested in given in the tables.
	
		Male prison population on 30 June 1992–2001, with numerical and percentage changes from previous year
		
			  Population on 30 June Actual change since previous year Percentage change since previous year 
		
		
			 1992 45,277 1,195 3 
			 1993 42,666 -2,611 -6 
			 1994 47,125 4,459 10 
			 1995 49,088 1,963 4 
			 1996 52,951 3,863 8 
			 1997 58,795 5,844 11 
			 1998 62,607 3,812 6 
			 1999 61,322 1,315 2 
			 2000 61,839 -2,983 -3 
			 2001 62,690 851 1 
		
	
	
		Female prison population on 30 June 1992–2001, with numerical and percentage changes from previous year
		
			  Population on 30 June Actual change since previous year Percentage change since previous year 
		
		
			 1992 1,555 11 1 
			 1993 1,580 25 2 
			 1994 1,804 224 14 
			 1995 1,998 194 11 
			 1996 2,305 307 15 
			 1997 2,672 367 16 
			 1998 3,120 448 17 
			 1999 3,207 87 3 
			 2000 3,355 148 5 
			 2001 3,713 358 11 
		
	
	
		Long-term projections of male and female prisoners, projected through to 2005 (average population)—produced October 2001
		
			 Central variant 2003 2004 2005 
		
		
			 Total 70,200 72,900 74,900 
			 Male 65,700 68,200 70,000 
			 Female 4,490 4,710 4,910 
			 
			 High scenario
			 Total 72,900 76,700 79,600 
			 Male 67,800 71,000 73,600 
			 Female 5,170 5,620 6,050

Prison Population

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his estimate is of the total prison population per 100,000 of the population; and what the comparable figures are for each of the past five years in other Council of Europe member states.

Beverley Hughes: The information requested appears in the table.
	
		Prison population rate(16) per 100,000 population (Council of Europe member states)
		
			  1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 Albania (17)— (17)— 85 (17)— (17)— (17)— 
			 Andorra (17)— (17)— (17)— 30 (17)— (17)— 
			 Armenia (17)— (17)— 200 (17)— (17)— 210 
			 Austria 84 86 85 85 84 (17)— 
			 Azerbaijan (17)— 325 325 (17)— (17)— (17)— 
			 Belgium 76 82 77 80 83 83 
			 Bosnia and Herzegovina (17)— (17)— (17)— 35 45 (17)— 
			 Bulgaria 126 142 (17)— (17)— 115 (17)— 
			 Croatia 45 47 50 (17)— (17)— 60 
			 Cyprus 35 40 (17)— 37 43 (17)— 
			 Czech Republic 202 209 217 224 208 188 
			 Denmark 61 62 63 66 61 58 
			 Estonia (17)— 300 (17)— 303 325 334 
			 Finland 58 56 55 46 56 60 
			 France 90 90 89 91 80 77 
			 Georgia (17)— (17)— 190 (17)— (17)— (17)— 
			 Germany 83 90 95 97 97 98 
			 Greece 51 54 68 72 76 76 
			 Hungary 129 136 142 161 157 155 
			 Iceland (17)— 43 35 (17)— 30 (17)— 
			 Ireland 62 68 71 72 76 82 
			 Italy 85 86 87 89 94 97 
			 Latvia 405 407 (17)— 360 355 368 
			 Liechtenstein (17)— (17)— (17)— 75 (17)— (17)— 
			 Lithuania 323 356 (17)— 385 257 313 
			 Luxembourg 104 (17)— 91 90 92 (17)— 
			 Malta 62 (17)— 70 (17)— 68 (17)— 
			 Moldova 263 (17)— (17)— (17)— 265 (17)— 
			 Netherlands 75 87 75 84 87 93 
			 Norway 52 53 56 (17)— (17)— (17)— 
			 Poland 148 148 153 142 170 207 
			 Portugal 140 145 144 131 127 131 
			 Romania 194 197 (17)— (17)— 222 225 
			 Russian Federation 713 (17)— 690 729 (17)— (17)— 
			 San Marino(18) (17)— (17)— (17)— (17)— (17)— (17)— 
			 Slovakia 144 138 (17)— (17)— 132 135 
			 Slovenia 31 39 (17)— 48 57 58 
			 Spain (17)— 113 111 111 114 102 
			 Sweden 65 59 60 59 64 68 
			 Switzerland 85 88 79 81 79 71 
			 The Former Yugoslavia Republic of Macedonia 50 49 55 (17)— 70 (17)— 
			 Turkey 87 94 100 (17)— 74 83 
			 Ukraine 425 415 (17)— (17)— 435 (17)— 
			 United Kingdom:   
			 England and Wales 107 120 126 125 124 127 
			 Northern Ireland 98 95 91 69 60 51 
			 Scotland 101 119 117 118 115 (17)— 
		
	
	(16) Based on estimates of national population
	(17) Data not available
	(18) Included in figures for Italy
	Source:
	Statistical contacts in each country, Council of Europe

Prisoners

Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to ensure that the educational needs and progress of prisoners are assessed before they are transferred between prison establishments.

Beverley Hughes: We will put in place arrangements for all prisoners to have access to a full assessment of learning needs on reception and a supporting individual learning plan. In the longer term we want to make the transfer of records of individual achievement from prison to prison more efficient as part of a wider strategy to support effective management information systems through information technology. This should eradicate the need for prisoners to be re-assessed before of after they are transferred to a new establishment within a reasonable timescale.

Prisoners

Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to assess the individual educational needs of prisoners when they first enter custody; what plans he has to replace the global education targets set for the Prison Service with incentives for establishment and prison staff to improve the education attainments of individual prisoners; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: All prisoners are offered a basic skills screening test at reception. We plan to improve initial assessment by introducing a greater range of diagnostic tests and are piloting computer-based initial assessment in basic skills for juveniles in selected young offender institutions and secure units.
	We are widening education targets at national and establishment level to enable prisons to be more flexible in responding to the learning needs of their population. Prison education is now covered by the Adult Learning Inspectorate, which will monitor teaching and training standards to ensure they meet the needs of learners and enable them to progress. Under the Basic Skills Quality Initiative, all establishments will be supported in producing an action plan for delivering basic skills. We will also provide training to instructors and prison officers to enable them to support prisoners' educational needs.

Prisoners

Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to give prisoners over 16 years a statutory right to receive education while in custody.

Beverley Hughes: We have no plans to make education a statutory right to prisoners who are not of compulsory school age. But we will increase access to education for all prisoners through extra resources over the next two years and by continuing to remove barriers to learning.

Prisoners

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women were serving custodial sentences in each of the last three years, broken down by location.

Beverley Hughes: The number of women serving custodial sentences on the 30 June in the last three years, broken down by prison is given in the table.
	
		
			 Establishment 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 Total 2,436 2,666 2,899 
			 Askham Grange 119 119 134 
			 Brockhill 56 77 68 
			 Bullwood Hall 133 156 161 
			 Cookham Wood 146 141 151 
			 Drake Hall 224 172 232 
			 Durham 100 94 100 
			 East Sutton Park 97 71 91 
			 Eastwood Park 165 221 177 
			 Foston Hall 166 164 155 
			 Highpoint 194 188 229 
			 Holloway 199 210 154 
			 Low Newton 61 161 197 
			 Morton Hall — — 185 
			 New Hall 266 279 238 
			 Send 88 198 216 
			 Styal 331 335 320 
			 Winchester 91 79 91

Prisoners

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners who are Irish citizens have died in United Kingdom prisons in each year since 1996.

Beverley Hughes: The numbers of deaths since 1996 in establishments in England and Wales of prisoners who were Irish citizens are set out in the table.
	
		
			  Self-inflicted deaths(19) Natural causes deaths(20) 
			 Year Irish prisoners(21) Irish prisoners(21) 
		
		
			 1996 0 0 
			 1997 0 0 
			 1998 1 0 
			 1999 3 1 
			 2000 3 0 
			 2001 2 2 
			 2002(22) 1 0 
			 Total 10 3 
		
	
	(19) Not all self-inflicted deaths result in an inquest verdict of suicide.
	(20) Not all deaths initially classified as being due to natural causes result in an inquest verdict of natural causes.
	(21) Includes only those prisoners who are known to be Irish citizens.
	(22) Up to and including 28 April 2002.

Prisoners

Rudi Vis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many young prisoners have been subjected to restraint under Rule 52 of the Rules for Young Offenders Institutions since April 2000; and what sort of restraints were used in each case.

Beverley Hughes: There have been nine young prisoners between the age of 18 and 21 years of age placed in restraint under Rule 52 during the stated period. The only restraint available for use under Young Offender Institution Rules 2000, Rule 52, is the body belt and it was used on 11 separate occasions at the following locations:
	
		
			 Location Date 
		
		
			 Guys Marsh June 2000 
			 Glen Parva August 2000 
			 Reading September 2000 
			 Portland September 2000 
			 Brockhill (23)October 2000 
			 Feltham March 2001, August 2001 
			 Dover August 2001 
			 Swinfen Hall March 2002 
		
	
	(23) Three separate occasions

Prisoners

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made on developing policies for the aftercare of wrongfully convicted prisoners; and what plans he has to consult on his proposals.

Beverley Hughes: I have now received the report of the working group established to consider this issue and I am considering its recommendations. I am also considering the extent to which there should be consultation on the proposals contained in the report. I will make an announcement shortly.

Prisons

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to notify hon. Members of proposals for prisons in their constituencies.

Beverley Hughes: It is already Government policy to notify hon. Members of proposals for new prison accommodation in their constituencies.

Prisons

David Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which prisons have sprinklers fitted in the residential parts of the prisons.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 7 May 2002
	No prisons have sprinklers fitted in the residential areas of prisons. The Prison Service is currently undertaking field trials to evaluate the viability of sprinkler provision.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Departmental Functions

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the functions of his Department that have been (a) market tested and (b) outsourced in each of the last five years, specifying the (i) money saving and (ii) percentage saving in each case.

Denis MacShane: The following FCO functions have been market tested and subsequently outsourced within the last five years:
	(i) London Press and Pictures Service (LPS), British Satellite News/London Radio Service (BSN/LRS) and British Information Services (BIS) Dispatch of Information Materials. All three services had been provided by the Central Office of Information (COI) and were outsourced in 1997 following a COI review which resulted in their no longer providing such services. Savings were as follows:
	LPS: £522,000—a 13.6 per cent. saving per annum
	BSN/LRS: £150,000—a 7 per cent. saving per annum
	BIS £397,000—a 35 per cent. saving per annum.
	(ii) Facilities management of the UK estate was outsourced in 1998 at a saving of £463,000 (30 per cent. per annum).
	(iii) Guarding services for the UK estate were outsourced in 1998 at a saving of £340,000 (11 per cent. per annum).

National Insurance Costs

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his estimate is of the cost in a full year of the budget changes to employers' national insurance contributions to (a) his Department and (b) agencies of his Department.

Ben Bradshaw: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 29 April 2002, Official Report, column 544W.

Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the reasons for the Government's decision to vote in favour of a vote of no confidence in Jose Bustani, Director General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on the decision of Her Majesty's Government to vote to remove the Director General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

Ben Bradshaw: Our policy throughout this matter has been guided by our judgment of what is in the best interests of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). Mr. Bustani had lost the confidence of a significant number of the OPCW's Executive Council. At a Special Conference of the OPCW on 21 April, 48 states parties voted for the resolution to terminate Mr. Bustani's appointment, 43 abstained and only seven voted against. Every European Union country voted for the resolution (except France, which abstained), as did other key countries like India, Australia, Canada and Japan. Mr. Bustani's appointment was accordingly terminated with immediate effect.
	The Special Conference also called for states parties to nominate candidates for the vacancy of Director General as soon as possible, and for the Executive Council to meet before 31 May to consider the nominations and decide on a recommendation to put to the conference before 10 June.

Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reasons the United Kingdom voted on 22 April at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons for the removal of the OPCW Director General from his post; and if he will make a statement on Jose Bustani's replacement.

Ben Bradshaw: Our policy throughout this matter has been guided by our judgment of what is in the best interests of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). Mr. Bustani had lost the confidence of a significant number of the OPCW's Executive Council. At a special conference of the OPCW on 21 April, 48 states parties voted for the resolution to terminate Mr. Bustani's appointment, 43 abstained and only seven voted against. Every European Union country voted for the resolution (except France, which abstained), as did other key countries like India, Australia, Canada and Japan. Mr. Bustani's appointment was accordingly terminated with immediate effect.
	The special conference also called for states parties to nominate candidates for the vacancy of Director General as soon as possible, and for the Executive Council to meet before 31 May to consider the nominations and decide on a recommendation to put to the conference before 10 June.

Jordan

Andy King: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Jordanian authorities concerning the case of the Siham Suleiman Moussa Qandah.

Ben Bradshaw: The case of Siham Suleiman Moussa Qandah and her family was brought to our attention recently by several MPs and by the NGO Christian Solidarity Worldwide. The Jordanian authorities are also aware of our interest in the case. I am very concerned about the unfortunate and distressing situation. The UK is committed to the promotion and protection of religious freedom, and condemns instances where individuals are persecuted because of their faith or belief. The case of Siham Suleiman Moussa Qandah is a complex one and I am seeking further information from our embassy in Amman and from Christian Solidarity Worldwide. Our embassy has already been in touch with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the case. We will need to ensure that any action we take is not counter-productive to the needs of the individuals concerned.

Shafiq Rasul

Ross Cranston: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the health of Shafiq Rasul in Camp X-ray; and what steps he has taken to ensure that Shafiq Rasul has access to legal advice and assistance.

Ben Bradshaw: British officials have paid two visits to British nationals detained at Guantanamo Bay. On both occasions, the detainees, including Mr. Rasul, appeared in satisfactory physical condition and did not complain of any mistreatment.
	In response to our approaches, the US Government have given us the assurance that they would treat all the detainees humanely and consistently with the principles of the Geneva Convention.
	The question of access to legal representation by the detainees has recently been the subject of judicial review proceedings in the High Court. An application has been made to the Court of Appeal for permission to appeal against the High Court's decision. I am not in a position therefore to comment further on this matter.

Pakistan (Christians)

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received concerning the situation of (a) Ayub Masih and (b) other Christians in Pakistan; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: We have received a large number of representatives from hon. Members and members of the public about Ayub Masih. We are deeply concerned about the misuse of the blasphemy laws in Pakistan and the fate of many Pakistani citizens, including Christians, imprisoned under these laws. Together with our EU partners, we have raised our concerns at regular intervals with the Pakistani authorities, citing specific cases including that of Mr. Masih. We raised his case again with our EU partners on 10 April 2002 and are now considering what further action we should take.

Gibraltar

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Her Majesty's Government were informed of the discriminatory pensions practices of Gibraltar that he reported to the House on 16 April 2002, Official Report, column 453.

Peter Hain: holding answer 29 April 2002
	HCA was introduced in 1989. The then Government first raised in 1990 the concern that such a scheme should not be discriminatory in nature. We have continued to press the Government of Gibraltar for a fuller picture of this scheme and the elderly persons allowance.

Gibraltar

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the discriminatory pensions practices of Gibraltar that he referred to in the House on 16 April 2002, Official Report, column 453.

Peter Hain: holding answer 29 April 2002
	We are particularly concerned about the household cost allowance paid to those of pensionable age in Gibraltar. We also have some concerns about the elderly persons allowance.

Gibraltar

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he was informed that the European Commission was embarking on an investigation into potentially illegal practices in relation to pensions in Gibraltar.

Peter Hain: holding answer 29 April 2002
	The European Commission approached Her Majesty's Government on 12 July 2001 in relation to this matter.

Gibraltar

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what occasions Ministers have informed the Committees of the House about the discriminatory pensions practices of Gibraltar that he reported to the House on 16 April 2002, Official Report, column 453.

Peter Hain: holding answer 29 April 2002
	As I told the House on 16 April 2002, Official Report, column 453, we are concerned that pensions practices in Gibraltar may be discriminatory under EC law. The permanent under- secretary at the FCO briefed the Public Accounts Committee on 15 December 1997. The Secretary of State wrote to the PAC in July 1998. I wrote on 8 March of this year and will be doing so again to provide an update of recent events. I also wrote in confidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee on 17 April.

Gibraltar

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on which dates the discriminatory pensions practices of Gibraltar have been formally raised with the Gibraltar Government in the past 10 years (a) in writing and (b) in discussions with Ministers.

Peter Hain: holding answer 29 April 2002
	During the period from 1998 the Government have raised the matter with the Government of Gibraltar in writing on the following dates: 17 February 1998, 6 March 1998, 29 July 1998, 31 July 2001, 23 August 2001, 19 September 2001, 20 September 2001 and 8 March 2002.
	British Ministers discussed the issue with the Chief Minister of Gibraltar on 28 January 1998. I last wrote to the Government of Gibraltar on this on 8 March 2002.
	To obtain the requested information for the period prior to 1998 would necessitate a search of a large number of files which could be carried out only at disproportionate cost.

Gibraltar

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he informed the Government of Gibraltar prior to referring in the House on 16 April 2002, Official Report, column 453, to the discriminatory pensions practices of Gibraltar.

Peter Hain: holding answer 29 April 2002
	As I told the House on 16 April, we are concerned that pensions practices in Gibraltar may be discriminatory. We have drawn this concern to the attention of the Government of Gibraltar on numerous occasions. Most recently, I wrote to the Chief Minister on 8 March of this year.

Gibraltar

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the oral statement of the Minister for Europe on 16 April 2002, Official Report, column 433, on pension scams and the Government of Gibraltar, if he will set out his policy in relation to this issue; and what discussions he had with the Government of Gibraltar prior to this statement.

Peter Hain: As I told the House on 16 April, we are concerned that pension practices in Gibraltar may be discriminatory. The Government continue to urge the Government of Gibraltar to address this matter.
	For details of when the Government have raised this matter with the Government of Gibraltar I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Thurrock (Andrew Mackinlay) today (UIN 52965).

Israel

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the answer of the Secretary of State for International Development to the hon. Member for Richmond Park (Dr. Tonge) on 11 March 2002, Official Report, column 684W, what representations have been made by his Department to the Israeli Government to seek financial compensation for EU-financed development projects in Gaza and the west bank damaged and destroyed by Israeli military action.

Jack Straw: holding answer 2 May 2002
	The Government have stressed to the Government of Israel that any action they take in self defence must be proportionate. Israel must avoid civilian casualties and avoid damaging civilian property and infrastructure. Together with our EU partners we have raised our concerns about the damage to EU and other donor-funded projects in the west bank and Gaza strip caused by Israeli military actions and demanded that this practice stop. The EU reserves the right to demand compensation in the appropriate fora. The European Commission continues to monitor and cost this damage.

Saudi Arabia

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  if he will discuss with the Saudi ambassador to the UK the poem he has published praising a Palestinian suicide bomber; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what representations he has had from (a) the Government of Israel and (b) the Board of Deputies of British Jews about the recently published poem and letter to the Board of Deputies by the Saudi ambassador to the UK;
	(3)  if he will discuss with the Saudi ambassador to the UK the letter he wrote to the Board of Deputies about a former Prime Minister of Israel; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: We have made clear to the Saudi ambassador our well known position on suicide bombings. We condemn them as we condemn all forms of terrorism and indiscriminate attacks on innocent civilians.
	I have received a letter from the Jewish Board of Deputies to which I will reply. We have received no representations on this subject from the Government of Israel.

East Timor

Meg Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how the United Kingdom will be represented in East Timor after independence.

Ben Bradshaw: The UK has played a leading role in rebuilding East Timor and preparing for self-government there. We have so far committed more than £30 million for reconstruction and rehabilitation—including £12 million from DFID for the first three years after independence. We will upgrade the existing British Office in Dili to an embassy on independence and Hamish St. Clair Daniel will be the first British ambassador to the Democratic Republic of East Timor. I will represent HMG at the Independence Day celebrations in Dili on 20 May.

St. Helena

Peter Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date and by what means he plans to restore citizenship rights to the St. Helenians.

Ben Bradshaw: A Commencement Order giving effect to the citizenship provisions of the British Overseas Territories Act 2002 was signed by the Secretary of State on 1 May and will take effect on 21 May. From that date, which is also the quincentenary of the discovery of St. Helena, St. Helenians will be able to apply for British citizen passports.

British Overseas Territories Act

Peter Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the British Overseas Territories Act 2002 Commencement Order will be made.

Ben Bradshaw: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs signed a Commencement Order on 1 May which will bring the citizenship provisions of the British Overseas Territories Act 2002 into force on 21 May 2002.

Arms Exports

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department takes to ensure that the export of arms is to countries which will only use the arms for approved purposes; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: Britain has one of the strictest and most transparent arms export licensing systems of any country. We consider all export licence applications on a case by case basis against the consolidated EU and national arms export licensing criteria. Our criteria clearly state that we will not issue licences where there is a clear risk that the experts might be used for either internal repression or external aggression.
	The British Government has been in the forefront of international efforts to strengthen the regulation of the arms trade and proliferation. We were instrumental in getting agreement for an EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports, and we regularly encourage other countries to adopt stricter and more transparent arms export policies. We are active members of all the key regimes that work to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, such as the Missile Technology Control Regime, the Nuclear Suppliers Group, and the Australia Group (which deals with chemical and biological weapons). And we are signatories to key arms control treaties, such as the Ottawa Convention on landmines, the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention.
	The UK's national export licensing criteria were set out in the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Member for Neath (Mr. Peter Hain) to my hon. Friend the Member for Crawley (Laura Moffatt) on 26 October 2000, Official Report, column 199–203W.

Lockerbie

Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the offer of compensation made by Libya for the families of those killed in the Lockerbie bombing.

Ben Bradshaw: The Government do not have a direct role in the discussions concerning compensation by Libya to the families of those killed in the Lockerbie bombing. Negotiations have been taking place between lawyers representing the families and representatives of the Libyan Government. The Government would not find acceptable any outcome under which British families do not receive an appropriate sum in compensation or receive less than others. I have raised the question of compensation for British families with the United States Government, which has raised it in turn with the lawyers directly involved in the discussions.

Libya

Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations with Libya with particular reference to sanctions.

Ben Bradshaw: The Government pursue a policy of critical engagement with Libya, through which we hope to continue improving relations. UN sanctions against Libya are currently suspended. The United Kingdom will support a lift once Libya has satisfied the remaining requirements of UNSCRs 731,748,883 and 1192.

Zimbabwe

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which individuals in Zimbabwe have bank accounts which have been frozen by the European Union and the United States, broken down by (a) the size of those assets frozen and (b) the country in which those assets were held.

Paul Boateng: holding answer 15 April 2002
	European Council Regulation 310/2002 requires member states to freeze the assets of Robert Mugabe, immediate members of his family and members of the Government of Zimbabwe. It is for each member state to ensure that the terms of the regulation are implemented. While the regulation does not allow for the disclosure of details regarding accounts and amounts frozen, in the United Kingdom accounts belonging to two individuals listed in the regulation have been frozen.
	Actions taken by the United States in respect of individuals in Zimbabwe are a matter for its Government.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Copyright Piracy

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what measures her Department proposes to take to combat video, DVD and internet piracy.

Melanie Johnson: I have been asked to reply.
	We are supporting the Copyright, etc. and Trade Marks (Offences and Enforcement) Bill which raises the maximum penalty for copyright piracy offences. We will be strengthening copyright law relevant to online use and misuse of copyright material in regulations to implement the EC Directive on copyright and related right in the information society. In addition, our support for initiatives that will raise awareness of and respect for copyright and other intellectual property (IP) rights, such as the Crimestoppers Anti-Counterfeiting Campaign and the CD-Rom for schools that will explain IP issues relevant to e-commerce, are further contributing to the fight against piracy. We will continue to collaborate with representatives from public sector enforcement interests and affected private sector interests in the Counterfeiting and Piracy Forum to identify practical solutions to the fight against all piracy. We have recently arranged for the police National High-Tech Crime Unit to participate in the forum in order to gain from its experience of fighting internet crime.

Copyright Piracy

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions her officials have had with officials in other departments on combating video, DVD and internet piracy.

Melanie Johnson: I have been asked to reply.
	My officials are in close contact with officials in other Departments on a regular basis, including those in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Home Office and the Department for Education and Skills.

Tourism

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much was paid from public funds to support the British Tourism Industry in (a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01 and (c) 2001–02.

Kim Howells: The following table sets out moneys paid from public funds to support and compensate the British tourism industry in the years 1999–2000 to 2001–02. DCMS provides funding for the British Tourist Authority (BTA) to promote Britain overseas but other direct public funding to the tourism industry in Scotland and Wales is the responsibility of the devolved administrations, and is not included in the table. Other moneys, mostly administered by the English Tourism Council (ETC), from central Government are included.
	
		£ million 
		
			 Recipient of Payment 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 
		
		
			 British Tourist Authority 37.5 37.02 (24)49.7 
			 English Tourism Council (25)12.1 10.068 (26)14.869 
			 Greater London Authority (GLA)(27) — — 1.9 
			 Other English grants(28) 0.4 0.1 0.057 
		
	
	(24) This £49.7 million includes £14.2 million for foot and mouth disease (FMD) recovery.
	(25) Grant in aid paid to the English Tourist Board (ETB), predecessor to the English Tourism Council.
	(26) This £14.869 million includes £0.6 million from the Capital Modernisation Fund and £3.8 million to tackle FMD.
	(27) As from 2001–02 public funding of tourism in London was granted by DCMS to the GLA—before it had been part of BTA and ETB/ETC grants.
	(28) Including Sector Challenge, Invest to Save Budget, and Tourism Strategy Fund.
	In addition to this direct Government funding:
	(a) Local authorities spend over £90 million per year in England promoting and developing tourism in their areas;
	(b) The Regional Development Agencies' Business Recovery Fund made £74 million available in 2001–02 to target help for rural businesses, including tourism businesses, affected by the implications of foot and mouth disease (FMD); and
	(c) DCMS's £1 billion expenditure on arts, museums, galleries, sport etc. also directly benefits tourism.

ITV Digital

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations she has received from ITV Digital since the company's entry into administration on 27 March.

Kim Howells: I have been kept closely in touch by all sides involved in the ITV Digital negotiations. However the decisions taken by ITV Digital are commercial decisions for them, and them alone, to take.

National Stadium

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she has received (a) Patrick Carter's report into the National Football Stadium and (b) the other information from the Football Association, WNSL, Sport England and other Government Departments to enable her to make an assessment of Wembley's National Stadium bid in accordance with her statement to the House on 19 December 2001.

Tessa Jowell: I refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made yesterday, Official Report, column 21–22. Further to that statement, I have now received Sport England's athletics study, a copy of which I have placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Rural Awareness

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when her Department will establish rural targets and monitoring as part of overall rural proofing measures as set out in the Countryside Agency's report Rural Proofing in 2001–02.

Kim Howells: The Department is actively committed to improving policy outcomes through the rural proofing process. The Department's current public service agreement includes a number of targets which will bring real benefits to rural areas, including ensuring all public libraries have internet access by the end of 2002 and introducing at least 12 Creative Partnerships by March 2004.

Rural Awareness

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when her Department will introduce measures to raise rural awareness through staff (a) training, (b) development and (c) secondments as part of overall rural proofing measures as set out in the Countryside Agency's report, Rural Proofing in 2001–02.

Kim Howells: The Department has taken a number of steps to raise awareness of rural issues among staff and its non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs). The rural proofing checklist has been widely disseminated throughout the Department and to NDPBs and rural proofing has been incorporated into the Department's policy makers' checklist. A central contact point to promote rural proofing has been identified within the Department and officials have worked closely with the Countryside Agency on a number of key policy areas.

Digital Television

Tom Levitt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what mechanisms the Government will implement to ensure that (a) consumers on low incomes, (b) consumers who live in rural areas and (c) other consumers who live in areas which cannot presently receive digital terrestrial television will continue to have access to television services after analogue switch-off.

Kim Howells: Analogue signals will not be turned off before two conditions are met:
	everyone who currently receives free-to-air channels is able, after switchover, to receive the same channels digitally, including in remote and rural areas, and
	switching to digital must be an affordable option, within the reach of people on low and fixed incomes. As a key measure of affordability, 95 per cent. of consumers must have access to digital equipment before switchover is completed.

Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment has been made of the impact of the work of the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment.

Kim Howells: Ministers and officials in my Department hold regular meetings with the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) to discuss progress. A funding agreement between my Department and CABE also sets out a range of performance-related targets that CABE is expected to meet.
	CABE's key achievements are set out in my Department's annual report.

Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her future funding intentions are for the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment.

Kim Howells: This year (2002–03) the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) will receive £3.53 million in grant-in-aid from my Department. CABE also receives some funding from the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions.
	The details of my Department's future funding for all its sponsored bodies will be announced as part of the Spending Review.

Performance Targets

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent assessment she has made of whether the target for the reduction of running costs as a proportion of the departmental expenditure limit between 1999–2000 and 2001–02 will be met on time.

Kim Howells: holding answer 10 April 2002
	Latest estimates suggest that departmental running costs in 2001–02 represented 2.291 per cent. of the departmental expenditure limit, compared with 2.526 per cent. in 1999–2000. This means we will have exceeded the target to reduce running costs as a proportion of DEL by 4.5 per cent. These figures exclude transfers to the Department following machinery of Government changes in the wake of the general election on 7 June 2001.

Press Subscriptions

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the newspapers subscribed to (a) Monday to Saturday and (b) on Sunday by her Department, stating for each subscription (i) the number of copies taken, and (ii) the annual cost.

Kim Howells: holding answer 26 April 2002
	The total annual cost of newspaper subscriptions in 2002–02 was £13,248. The table specifies each title taken, the cost per copy, and the total annual cost per title.
	
		DCMS—Newspaper subscriptions April 2002
		
			 Title Number of copies Cost per copy (£) Total annual cost (£) 
		
		
			 Daily Express(29) 7 79.47 556.29 
			 Daily Express(30) 1 22.62 22.62 
			 Daily Mail(29) 9 79.47 715.23 
			 Daily Mail(30) 2 22.62 45.24 
			 Daily Mirror(29) 8 72.66 581.28 
			 Daily Mirror(30) 2 14.48 28.96 
			 Daily Star(29) 4 68.12 272.48 
			 Daily Star(30) 2 13.57 27.14 
			 Daily Telegraph(29) 9 102.18 919.62 
			 Daily Telegraph(30) 1 33.93 33.93 
			 Daily Telegraph(31) 1 20.36 20.36 
			 Evening Standard(32) 12 79.47 953.64 
			 Evening Standard(33) 3 79.47 238.41 
			 Evening Standard(34) 12 79.47 953.64 
			 Financial Times(29) 13 204.36 2,656.68 
			 Financial Times(30) 1 40.72 40.72 
			 Guardian(29) 10 102.18 1,021.80 
			 Guardian(30) 1 38.45 38.45 
			 Guardian(35) 1 20.36 20.36 
			 Independent(29) 8 113,54 908.32 
			 Independent(30) 1 40.72 40.72 
			 Independent on Sunday 1 49.76 49.76 
			 International Herald Tribune(36) 1 272.31 272.31 
			 Jewish Chronicle 1 24.88 24.88 
			 Mail on Sunday 2 45.24 90.48 
			 Morning Advertiser 2 67.86 135.72 
			 News of the World 2 27.14 54.28 
			 Observer 1 49.76 49.76 
			 The People 2 29.41 58.82 
			 The Publican newspaper 2 43.85 87.70 
			 Racing Post(29) 2 238.42 476.84 
			 Sunday Business 1 45.24 45.24 
			 Sunday Express 1 45.24 45.24 
			 Sunday Mirror 2 29.41 58.82 
			 Sunday Telegraph 1 45.24 45.24 
			 Sunday Times 1 49.76 49.76 
			 The Sun(29) 8 68.12 544.96 
			 The Sun(30) 2 18.10 36.20 
			 The Times(29) 11 79.47 874.17 
			 The Times(30) 1 27.14 27.14 
			 Tribune 1 45.24 45.24 
			
			 Total annual cost   13,168.45 
		
	
	(29) Monday to Friday
	(30) Saturday
	(31) Wednesday
	(32) City edition
	(33) News Extra edition
	(34) West End final
	(35) Tuesday
	(36) Monday to Saturday

LORD CHANCELLOR

Census 1901

Edward Davey: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if the costs of enhancement of the 1901 Census website since 2 January will be met by QinetiQ; and if the contract with QinetiQ prohibits an increase in user fees from those already announced.

Rosie Winterton: The costs of the enhancements to the 1901 census website, which are intended to make the site sufficiently robust to permit general internet access, are being met in full by the contractor QinetiQ. The user fees are fixed by a statutory instrument and therefore cannot be increased.

Family Visitor Appeals

Lynne Jones: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will provide a breakdown of the number of family visitor appeals (a) determined, (b) allowed and (c) dismissed by the Immigration Appellate Authority (i) at an oral hearing and (ii) on the papers only in each month since 1 January.

Rosie Winterton: The information is as follows:
	
		
			 Month Determined Allowed Dismissed 
		
		
			 (i) Oral appeals:
			 January 2002 147 97 50 
			 February 2002 148 102 46 
			 March 2002 168 119 49 
			 (ii) Paper appeals:
			 January 2002 151 79 72 
			 February 2002 152 54 98 
			 March 2002 198 65 133

Family Visitor Appeals

Lynne Jones: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will provide a breakdown of the number of (a) oral and (b) paper-only family visitor appeals received by the Immigration Appellate Authority in each month since 1 January.

Rosie Winterton: The information is as follows:
	
		
			  (a) Oral appeals (b) Paper appeals 
		
		
			 January 2002 172 196 
			 February 2002 184 172 
			 March 2002 285 213

Bailiff Law

Michael Clapham: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what progress has been made on the Green Paper "Towards Effective Enforcement—A Single Piece of Bailiff Law and Regulatory Structure for Enforcement".

Michael Wills: I am pleased to announce the publication of (a) the post consultation report for the Green Paper "Towards Effective Enforcement—A Single Piece of Bailiff Law and Regulatory Structure for Enforcement", and (b) the summary of responses following the consultation paper on distress for rent procedures.
	The Green Paper, published on 9 July 2001, invited comments on the structure for the regulation of enforcement services, a single piece of bailiff law, fees, information and data sharing and a partial regulatory impact assessment. The 84 respondents came from a wide variety of groups concerned with enforcement, including local authorities, public interest groups and enforcement agents. Consultation showed overwhelming support for most of the proposals in the Green Paper. Copies of both documents have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
	Delivery will require a legislative opportunity. We intend to publish a White Paper early next year bringing together proposals on both civil enforcement (including regulation of all enforcement agents) and distress for rent.
	My noble Friend Baroness Scotland of Asthal QC today launched the publication 'National Standards for Enforcement Agents'. The 'National Standards' identifies duties and responsibilities which creditors and their enforcement agents share. It has been warmly welcomed and endorsed by the enforcement profession. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Parliamentary Questions

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister by what criteria he judges whether the cost of a parliamentary question is disproportionate; and what guidance he gives to Departments.

Christopher Leslie: Decisions on whether to refuse to provide information on the grounds of disproportionate cost in response to parliamentary questions are taken in accordance with the requirements of the guidance issued by HM Treasury on "Costing Parliamentary Questions" and "Guidance to Officials on Drafting Answers to Parliamentary Questions" issued by the Cabinet Office. Copies of both documents have been placed in the Library of the House. The final decision on how to answer the parliamentary question rests with the individual Minister concerned who may decide that a full answer should be provided irrespective of cost.

Age Equality Commission

Linda Perham: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will establish an age equality commission; and if he will make a statement.

Barbara Roche: The Government are committed to implementing the European employment and race directives by transposing the directives into UK law.
	The recent consultation, 'Towards Equality and Diversity', sought views on the most appropriate arrangements for advice and support for all the new equality strands covered by the employment directive, including age. We are currently considering the strategic and practical issues for all these strands in the light of these responses.

Expenditure Authorisation

Richard Bacon: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on (a) the circumstances in which an accounting officer should seek a direction from a Minister before authorising expenditure, (b) the number of occasions since 1 May 1997 that such directions have been sought by accounting officers and (c) the Department and sum involved and the purpose of the expenditure for which a direction was sought in each case.

Andrew Smith: I have been asked to reply.
	The circumstances in which an accounting officer should seek a direction from a Minister before authorising expenditure are set out in paragraphs 14–17 of the Treasury document, "The Responsibilities of an Accounting Officer", of July 2001. A copy of the document is available in the Library of the House. The number of occasions since 1 May 1997 that such directions have been sought by accounting officers is 13. The Departments concerned, together with the general subject matter of each direction, are as follows:
	1998—DSS: Benefits Agency/Post Office Counters Ltd (BA/POCL Automation Ltd);
	1998—DSS: Benefits Agency/Post Office Counters Ltd (BA/POCL Automation Ltd);
	1998—Northern Ireland Court Service: an individual's personnel records;
	1998—MOD: sale of cadet property in Moffat;
	1998—DSS: benefits integrity project;
	1999—DSS: benefits integrity project;
	1999—DSS: benefits integrity project;
	1999—ECGD: cashmere exporters;
	1999—ECGD: ECGD cover Indonesia;
	2000—ECGD: ECGD cover Romania;
	2000—MOD: financial assistance to meet cost of flight to Croatia for member of public to attend trial of those accused of murder of his son, a British service man;
	2001—MOD: RoRo ferries;
	2001—DTLR: Silverstone bypass.
	The Treasury is advised when a ministerial direction is issued, but comprehensive information on the sums involved and the purpose of the expenditure related to the direction is not provided to the Treasury by Departments.

HEALTH

Digital Equipment

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many digital radios are owned by his Department for use in departmental buildings from which Ministers work; and what the (a) cost and (b) date of purchase of each radio was.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 26 April 2002
	No digital radios are owned by the Department for use in the building from which Ministers work.
	Three radio channels (BBC Radio 3, 4 and 5) are available on television receivers fed from the Central Office of Information cable television system.

Recombinant Factor VIII

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the charging mechanisms for providing recombinant factor VIII to haemophiliacs under the age of 20 but over the age of 16.

Yvette Cooper: If the product is supplied to a patient and administered at a hospital it is free of charge. If the product is supplied otherwise than for administration at a hospital normal prescription arrangements apply. No charge will be payable if the patient is under 19 and in full-time education, or qualifies for free prescriptions on other grounds, such as low income.
	Patients who have to pay and need frequent prescriptions may benefit from purchasing a prescription pre-payment certificate.

Riding for the Disabled Association

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what role his Department envisages for the Riding for the Disabled Association in the rehabilitative treatment of children with musculo-skeletal disorders.

Jacqui Smith: The decision on what treatment to offer an individual patient is one for the clinicians involved in the case. They are responsible for deciding the best treatment for the patient. Doctors are required to exercise their clinical judgment, in consultation with the patient and informed by a patient's medical history.

Genito-urinary Medicine

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent on genito-urinary medicine in each of the past five years.

Yvette Cooper: Spending on genito-urinary medicine by national health service trusts in each of the past five years are shown in the table.
	
		
			 Year £000 
		
		
			 1996–97 117,910 
			 1997–98 137,367 
			 1998–99 151,745 
			 1999–2000 171,593 
			 2000–01 156,955 
		
	
	Note:
	In 1999–2000 one NHS trust recorded expenditure on HIV/ AIDS within the speciality genito-urinary medicine. However, in 2000–01 the trust reclassified this expenditure and recorded it within the speciality infectious diseases. This accounts for an approximate decrease of £17 million in 2000–01 and also demonstrates that recording of expenditure on genito-urinary medicine can vary from year to year.
	Source:
	1996–97 to 2000–01 NHS Trust financial returns.

Hearing Aids

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason analogue hearing aids continue to be fitted in hospitals involved in the modernising hearing aid services projects.

Jacqui Smith: The majority of hearing aids fitted in hospitals involved in the modernisation project are digital hearing aids. However, some of these hospitals are still fitting analogue aids as part of the continuing Medical Research Council research project, which is testing out the advantages of analogue and digital aids provided as part of a modernised service. The research project report is due at the end of 2002. In the meantime, hospitals can decide which hearing aids to fit, taking account of patient preference and exercising clinical judgment.

Hearing Aids

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  when PCTs and NHS trusts in the south-east that have been allowed to make digital hearing aids available will be given another chance to bid for that provision;
	(2)  for what reasons digital hearing aid services have not been made available in Essex.

Jacqui Smith: Essex Rivers Healthcare NHS trust and Barking, Havering and Redbridge NHS trust are both among the thirty new sites I announced in my reply to the hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham (Mr. Loughton) and the hon. Member for Twickenham (Dr. Cable) on 10 April 2002, Official Report, column 466W). We have been able to involve all those sites who, having the support of their local health communities, submitted applications.
	The project managers at Royal National Institute for the Deaf are now looking towards identifying those sites to be provided with training and equipment to allow them to be ready to join in the Modernising Hearing Aid Services Project from April 2003. They will be contacting all those sites not yet involved in the project and encouraging those with an interest to have discussions with their health community and put forward a bid.

MMR

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he intends to give to nursery schools and other providers of early years education on accepting children who have not received their MMR inoculations.

Yvette Cooper: General guidance on infection control in schools and nurseries has been issued by this Department, the Department for Education and Skills and the public health laboratory service in the form of a poster. Copies of this have been distributed to all schools and it is also available on the wired for health web site, specifically at www.wiredforhealth.gov.uk//healthy/ images/INFECT—POSTER.PDF

MMR

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the level of MMR vaccination is in Darlington.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 29 April 2002
	Information about children immunised against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) in County Durham and Darlington health authority by their 2nd birthday is contained in the Statistical Bulletin "NHS Immunisation Statistics, England: 2000–01". A copy of the bulletin is in the House of Commons Library and can also be found on the Department website www.doh.gov.uk/public/ sb0121.htm.

Alcohol Awareness

Anne Begg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department's procedures are for ensuring that every woman is made aware of the dangers of drinking alcohol while pregnant.

Hazel Blears: The Pregnancy Book, which is given free to all first time mothers, contains a section on alcohol consumption during pregnancy. It warns women that heavy or frequent drinking can seriously harm the baby's development, and they are encouraged to talk to their doctor or midwife if they need help to reduce their alcohol consumption. It also provides contact details for seeking further help and support.

Private Finance Initiative

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the total savings to public funds of the Private Finance Initiative contract for the Nottingham university CHP generator for the Queen's Medical Centre by comparison with a non-Private Finance Initiative alternative;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the total savings to public funds of the Private Finance Initiative contract for the elderly mental health for the Rotherham Priority Health NHS Trust by comparison with a non-Private Finance Initiative alternative;
	(3)  what estimate he has made of the total savings to public funds of the Private Finance Initiative contract for the Queen's Medical Centre ENT Ophthalmology Capital Scheme for the Queen's Medical Centre NHS Trust by comparison with a non-Private Finance Initiative alternative.

Yvette Cooper: The business case justifying the individual schemes estimating the net savings in present value terms (ie all future costs and benefits discounted to their present values) compared with publicly funding the scheme are shown in the table.
	
		Net present costs of PSC v PFI option -- £000
		
			 Trust PFI  Public  Savings in net present value terms  Percentage difference 
		
		
			 Rotherham Priority Health Services—Elderly mental health 'Swallownest' scheme 8,166 9,517 1,351 14 
			 Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham—combined heat and power generator 20,932 21,397 465 2 
			 Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham—ENT ophthalmology 24,284 28,226 3,942 14 
		
	
	Note:
	Published guidance on Public Sector Comparators notes that: "Accounting Officers should not rely solely on a straight comparison of a PFI bid to its PSC, which should never be regarded as a pass/fail test but instead as a quantitative way of informing judgment". (Treasury Taskforce Technical Note No. 5: How to construct a public sector comparator

National Insurance

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost to the care home sector of additional employers' NI contributions as summarised in the Budget statement.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 23 April 2002
	It is estimated that the changes to employers' national insurance contributions announced in the Budget will increase pay costs on average by 0.7 per cent. next year.

National Insurance

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his estimate is of the cost in a full year of the Budget changes to employers' national insurance contributions to (a) his Department, (b) agencies of his Department, (c) local government carrying out functions within the responsibility of his Department, (d) the national health service and (e) contractors supplying services to the national health service.

Hazel Blears: I refer you to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 29 April 2002, Official Report, column 544W.

Dental Care

Huw Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what recent assessment he has made of the dental care plans by dental practitioners and the impact this has on access to dental care;
	(2)  what guidelines exist to guarantee a minimum level of access to NHS dental care within each health authority area.

Hazel Blears: Health authorities in England are currently responsible for planning, and ensuring access to national health service dental services. "Modernising Health and Social Care-National Priorities Guidance 2000–01 to 2002–03" and subsequent guidance required health authorities to publish an externally assessed dentistry action plan to enable patients to access NHS dentistry through NHS Direct within locally agreed time and distance standards.
	Provision of NHS dental services in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is a matter for the devolved Administrations.

Clinical Data

Tom Levitt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what income his Department (a) has received and (b) plans to receive from the sale of anonymised clinical information.

Hazel Blears: The Department does not receive income from the sale of anonymised clinical data. Where data or other information is made available there may be a charge to cover administrative costs.

Eastbourne and Hastings Hospital Trusts

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how much the newly merged Eastbourne and Hastings hospital trusts will pay in additional national insurance contributions in the year 2002;
	(2)  how much he estimates the merged Eastbourne and Hastings hospital trusts will pay in additional national insurance contributions in 2003.

Hazel Blears: The increases in national insurance, announced by my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 17 April, will come into effect in April 2003. The East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust will have a gross annual pay bill of approximately £100 million, one per cent. of which would be £750,000 for April to December 2003 or £1 million for 2003–04.
	Exact figures are not available as individual NHS staff members' pay and deductions are not collected centrally.

Mixed Wards

Alan Hurst: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS patients were treated in hospital in mixed wards in each year from 1995 to 2001; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: This information is not collected centrally.

Hospital Waiting Times

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were waiting more than six months to see a consultant for the first consultation in Lancashire in each year since 1997.

Jacqui Smith: Three health authorities, East, North West and South Lancashire, were responsible for commissioning health care on behalf of the majority of the population of Lancashire. The following data are an aggregate of those three organisations. On 1 April 2002, health authorities in Cumbria and Lancashire merged to form Cumbria and Lancashire health authority.
	The total number of patients, following a general practitioner referral, waiting over six months (26 weeks) for a first out-patient consultant appointment, is set out in the table:
	
		
			   Number of patients 
		
		
			 December 1997 918 
			 December 1998 2,716 
			 December 1999 3,176 
			 December 2000 2,016 
			 December 2001 1,021

Reconfiguration Panel

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on how many occasions the independent reconfiguration panel has met.

Hazel Blears: None. The Independent Reconfiguration Panel, which will offer authoritative advice to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on referred proposals for NHS service change, is expected to start work in autumn 2002.

Mental Health

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the availability of the latest generation of medicines to those who suffer mental illness.

Jacqui Smith: There has been a consistent increase in the numbers of prescriptions for atypical antipsychotic drugs over the past five years. In 1997 atypical antipsychotic prescription items dispensed in the community in England accounted for 257,000 or 6.2 per cent. of the total of 4,157,000 prescription items for all antipsychotics. In 2001 the figures were 1,842,000 or 39 per cent. out of 4,718,000.

Endometriosis

Helen Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will make a decision on the application by the SHE Trust for DOH Section 64 funding of a comparative survey of endometriosis.

Yvette Cooper: Notification of the decision on this application was posted to the SHE Trust on 11 April 2002. The SHE Trust were not successful in their application.

Learning Disabilities

Jane Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to encourage the involvement of the (a) independent and (b) charitable sectors in the provision of care for adults with learning disabilities.

Jacqui Smith: Our policy for improving services for people with learning disabilities is set out in the White Paper "Valuing People: A New Strategy for Learning Disability for the 21 Century" published in March 2001. It is based on the four principles of rights, independence, choice and inclusion. We recognise that effective partnerships are key to the delivery of our policy. We work closely with all the key interests including the charitable and independent sector to provide new opportunities for people with learning disabilities to lead full and active lives.
	"Valuing People" required local councils to establish Learning Disability Partnership Boards by 31 October 2001. Partnership Boards are required to ensure that local independent providers and the voluntary sector are fully engaged in their work. The "Valuing People" support team is working with Partnership Boards to help build strong partnerships locally.
	Representatives of voluntary organisations were actively involved in developing the White Paper and we continue to work with them in its implementation through their membership of the Learning Disability Task Force.
	We also provide funding from the Implementation Support Fund announced in "Valuing People" and from the discretionary programme of section 64 grants (approximately £1.3 million in 2002–03) from the Department to voluntary organisations to further our objective of achieving social inclusion for people with learning disabilities.

Sellafield

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what dates (a) ministers and (b) officials in his Department held meetings with the Irish Government to discuss the British Nuclear Fuels plant at Sellafield between 1 January and 5 October 2001; where each meeting took place; which Ministers were involved in each meeting; and which Irish Government Departments were involved in each meeting.

Yvette Cooper: For details of the two officials' meetings since 1 January 2001, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 10 April 2002, Official Report, column 442W.

Lung Cancer

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent on lung cancer treatment in each year since 1997.

Yvette Cooper: The Department does not collect figures on the cost of NHS services in a way that enables an accurate figure to be calculated for the cost of a particular disease.

Lung Cancer

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of cases of lung cancer in the last five years can be attributed to smoking.

Yvette Cooper: These data are not routinely collected. The latest estimate of the proportion of deaths from lung cancer was made by the Health Education Authority who estimated in their 1998 report, "The UK Smoking Epidemic: Deaths in 1995", that in 1995 84 per cent. of all deaths from lung cancer (90 per cent. men, 73 per cent. women) in the United Kingdom were caused by smoking.

Care Homes

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many nursing home residents previously funded under preserved rights have moved from their existing care home as a result of their reassessment;
	(2)  how many nursing home residents previously assisted under preserved rights qualify for the direct payments scheme.

Jacqui Smith: Information on the outcomes of care assessments of those people whose care was previously funded under preserved rights is not available.
	Direct payments cannot be used to purchase long term residential care. We expect that the majority of people who had preserved rights will continue to receive their existing care packages. However, for those that have been assessed as not needing residential care, direct payments will be available as an alternative.

Oxfordshire SSA

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations his Department have made to other Departments on the SSA in relation to Oxfordshire.

Jacqui Smith: I have made no such representations about the personal social service standard spending assessment formulae as they relate specifically to Oxfordshire.

Comprehensive Spending Review

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations his Department has made to other Departments on funding for social services spending by counties in preparation for the Comprehensive Spending Review.

Jacqui Smith: No specific representation has been made in respect of counties over and above other local authority groups. However there is regular dialogue with representatives from other government departments, and local authorities, throughout the spending review process so that the views of all local authorities, including counties, can be taken into account.

Asylum Seekers

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with representatives of general practitioners in respect of the additional costs related to the healthcare of the families of asylum seekers; and what plans he has to recognise such costs in the allocation of funds to primary care trusts.

Jacqui Smith: I have had no recent discussions with representatives of general practitioners (GPs) in respect of costs related to the healthcare of the families of asylum seekers. Allocations made to health authorities and primary care trusts include resources for all their population including the families of asylum seekers. To support their work with asylum seekers, GPs can also bid for extra resources through personal medical service pilots, or local development schemes can be initiated to provide for the payment of fees under Section 36 of the NHS (Primary Care) Act 1997.

NHS Appointments Commission

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 23 April 2002, Official Report, column 120W, what discussions he has had with the NHS Appointments Commission on the reason the application from Mrs. L. Irving of Culcheth, Warrington was not acknowledged; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The National Health Service appointments commission has confirmed that, because of a clerical error, candidates not called for interview for non- executive appointments to Warrington Primary Care Trust have still not been properly informed that they had been unsuccessful. One of the candidates involved was Mrs. L Irving. The chief executive of the appointments commission will shortly be writing a letter of apology to all the candidates involved.

NHS Plan (Newcastle)

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what reasons underlay the rejection of the bids from Newcastle Primary Care Trust and the City of Newcastle upon Tyne for support from the NHS Plan intermediate care funds.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 1 May 2002
	In November 2001, Department of Health Regional Offices were invited to submit bids against £66 million of capital funding available for intermediate care. Unfortunately, owing to the large number of bids received, it was not possible to fund all the bids from the funding available.
	I announced allocation of the "first phase" of £46 million to 80 projects on 6 March 2002. The bid from Newcastle was not included among the bids that could be funded at that time. However, it may be possible to fund further bids as part of a further phase of funding yet to be allocated.

Lymphoedema

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what training doctors receive in the diagnosis and treatment of lymphoedema; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 16 April 2002
	The content and standard of postgraduate medical training for specialist medicine is the responsibility of the United Kingdom competent authority, the specialist training authority (STA). The STA takes advice from the appropriate Royal College, who appreciate the requirements presented by different conditions and develop their training curricula as appropriate. Doctors increasingly recognise that lymphoedema requires skilled management to maximise the quality of life for people with this condition.

Wheelchairs

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many adverse incidents involving (a) electrically powered and (b) manual wheelchairs have been reported to the Medical Devices Agency in each of the past three years; and what steps he is taking to improve (i) the comprehensiveness of such reports and (ii) their utility in identifying and remedying systematic faults.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 17 April 2002
	The Medical Devices Agency (MDA) has a specific section that deals with adverse incident reports relating to all wheeled mobility equipment. The numbers of reports received by MDA held on their database relating specifically to manual and powered wheelchairs are as follows:
	
		
			 Year Manual Powered 
		
		
			 2001 641 471 
			 2000 624 466 
			 1999 598 374 
		
	
	A specific detailed form has been compiled and is widely available to assist reporters in providing sufficient detail on each adverse incident. The format and layout is regularly reviewed to ensure that changes are made when appropriate. The form is available from the MDA web site.
	MDA issue guidance at the beginning of each year on the incident reporting system to provide details on how to report an incident, what other action to take and what action MDA may take following up on the report. The content is reviewed each year to allow updates to be made where necessary. In addition, MDA meet regularly with professional, service, user groups and manufacturers and periodically use these meetings to promote the need for reporting incidents and emphasising the need to provide comprehensive information on the product, its service and usage history as well as details of the incident itself.
	To assist in identifying trends of problems with specific equipment, root cause analysis is used on all reports on the MDA database. Any trends found are then investigated and corrective action initiated where necessary.

Press Subscriptions

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the magazines and periodicals subscribed to by his Department, stating for each subscription (i) the number of copies taken, and (ii) the annual cost.

John Hutton: holding answer 26 April 2002
	The Department's library and information service is responsible for central purchasing of magazines and periodicals for library use and for retention by individual units. Suppliers, who have been chosen via competitive tendering every three to five years, are used. New supply contracts were awarded in October 2001, for the supply of newspapers and weekly magazines and for journals.
	The Department's regional offices have their own libraries with separate purchasing arrangements, and there are small direct purchases by individual units. Expenditure details for the whole Department are kept on a central system held by the Department's finance division, but do not differentiate between newspapers and magazines/journals.
	The approximate total annual cost is £317,000 for about 680 titles and 1,500 copies. Discounts have been included where known.

Anti-TNFa Drugs

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice he has issued to strategic health authorities and primary care trusts on (a) the implementation timetable for anti-TNFa drugs and (b) the implications for budgets.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 29 April 2002
	There has been no guidance issued for the implementation of NICE appraisal of anti-TNF drugs. However, on 5 December 2001, the Government announced that it would meet its commitment to ensure that patients receive drugs and treatments recommended by NICE on the national health service if deemed appropriate by their clinicians. Directions have been issued obliging health authorities and primary care trusts to provide appropriate funding for recommended treatments. The overall expected costs of NICE guidance are taken into account when NHS budgets are set.

Non-executive NHS Trust Directors

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the requisite period of notice is for non- executive directors of acute NHS trusts in cases of trust merger.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 1 May 2002
	There is no standard period of notice. Non-executive posts on national health service boards are public appointments, not jobs. They are made for a fixed period, normally no longer than four years. Where a trust is dissolved as a result of a merger, non-executive appointments are automatically terminated. Serving board members will normally be aware well in advance of mergers taking place.

Non-executive NHS Trust Directors

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health who the non-executive directors of each of the strategic health authorities are; and how many and what percentage of the total are members of ethnic minorities.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 1 May 2002
	The names of those appointed have been placed in the Library. Of the 155 non-executive board members so far appointed, nine (5.8 per cent.) are from ethnic minorities.

Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the cost has been to date to the Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS trust of the suspension of the transfer of health services between Crawley Hospital and East Surrey Hospital;
	(2)  if he will publish the advice given to the south east region NHS Executive by the Surrey and Sussex healthcare NHS trust before his decision to suspend the transfer of services between Crawley and east Surrey hospitals announced on 27 March 2001.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 2 May 2002
	As indicated in the written answer given to the hon. Member on 3 April 2001, Official Report, volume 366, column 140W, the total cost of maintaining services at both sites was approximately £239,000 up to January 2002 and approximately £53,000 per month thereafter. This would give a total approximate cost of £292,000 up to the end of April 2002. Negotiations on the service and financial framework for the Surrey and Sussex health authority are still on-going therefore it is not possible, at this time, to give a final confirmation of the total cost.
	Information provided to Department officials and the subsequent advice those officials provide to Ministers is confidential.

Wessex Neurological Centre

John Butterfill: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he will take to restore operations on the neurosurgical lists of the Wessex Neurological Centre; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 2 May 2002
	A clinical governance review by Southampton University Hospitals NHS trust identified the need to strengthen senior anaesthetic cover in the neurosciences intensive care unit at the Wessex Neurological Centre. In the short term this could only be achieved by redeploying anaesthetists from the neuro-operating theatres. This necessitated a temporary reduction in operating time. From 15 April only emergency surgery and urgent cases from the waiting list have been treated. The trust envisages that a full service will resume on 13 May.
	The trust is taking action to recruit additional anaesthetists.

Anthrax Vaccine

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what facilities are available in the United Kingdom for anthrax vaccine production; and if it is produced by biotechnological methodologies.

John Hutton: holding answer 2 May 2002
	Anthrax vaccine in the United Kingdom is produced at the Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research at Porton Down.
	It is produced from the vaccine strain of Bacillus anthracis (known as the Sterne strain) using biotechnological methods, but is not a recombinant product.

Coronary Care

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients who received a bare stent in a percutaneous coronary intervention were readmitted for a repeat re-stent or coronary bypass grafting procedure in the last five years for which figures are available; and what estimate he has made of the total cost to the NHS of such readmissions.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 7 May 2002
	The Department does not collect the data relating to the number of patients who received a bare stent in a percutaneous coronary intervention and were later readmitted for a repeat re-stent or coronary bypass graft. It is not possible, therefore, to estimate the cost to the national health service of such readmissions.

Coronary Care

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if readmission procedures for in-stent restenosis are recorded as separate patient episodes.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 7 May 2002
	I can confirm that readmission for in-stent restenosis are recorded as separate patient episodes.

Heart Bypass Operations

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many heart bypass operations have been carried out in the NHS in each of the last 10 years.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 29 April 2002
	Patients who need revascularisation may be treated by angioplasty (PTCA) a non-surgical intervention to open arteries that have become blocked, or by coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), a surgical procedure which bypasses blocked arteries. As the technology has improved angioplasty has become the appropriate treatment for an increasing proportion of patients. A table providing data on the number of finished consultant episodes for angioplasty and coronary artery bypass in England for the last 10 years has been placed in the Library.
	Information about operations undertaken in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is a matter for the devolved Administrations.

Diabetes

David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what projections were provided by his Department to the Wanless Review Team for (a) the prevalence of diabetes in the years to 2010–11 and (b) the reduction in the number of people with undiagnosed diabetes by 2010–11;
	(2)  what assumptions underlie the Wanless report concerning the relationship between more effective care for diabetes and lower expenditure on coronary heart disease and renal disease;
	(3)  what proportion of the cost of implementing the NSF for diabetes, as projected by the Wanless report, is attributable to (a) expanded treatment programmes and (b) an increase in diagnosed prevalence.

Jacqui Smith: During the early years of implementation of the diabetes national service framework (NSF) we would expect the majority of available resources to be directed towards improvements in treatment for those people with diabetes who have not received systematic high quality treatment in the past. In subsequent years, the cost of implementing the NSF is likely to be increasingly attributable to the rising prevalence of diabetes and the maintenance of a high quality of care across the patient population.
	Optimal blood glucose control and tight blood pressure control are two key interventions in the diabetes NSF. Evidence indicates that these interventions may reduce the rate of certain complications of diabetes, including renal failure and heart attack, which might therefore lead to reduced expenditure on coronary heart disease and renal disease.
	The Department provided the following prevalence projections to the Wanless review team for diabetes in England for the years up to 2011:
	
		
			 Year Diagnosed prevalence Total patients (million) 
		
		
			 2002 2.63 1.316 
			 2003 2.70 1.355 
			 2004 2.78 1.399 
			 2005 2.87 1.448 
			 2006 2.97 1.502 
			 2007 3.07 1.561 
			 2008 3.19 1.624 
			 2009 3.31 1.689 
			 2010 3.44 1.759 
			 2011 3.57 1.832 
		
	
	Additionally, officials undertook some sensitivity analysis on the prevalence rates for the Wanless team that focused on different scenarios regarding the size and integration of the undiagnosed diabetes population into the system.
	The Wanless report has informed decisions about the overall level of funding that the national health service has received. The Budget provides the highest sustained growth in NHS history, with annual average increases of 7.4 per cent. a year in real terms over the five years 2003–04 to 2007–08. Decisions about the allocation of the increased funding will be announced later this year.

Renal Failure

David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the principal causes for the increase in end stage renal failure in the last five years. the Minister of State, Department of Health.

Jacqui Smith: There is a world-wide increase in end stage renal failure, although the number of new patients in England still falls behind other European countries. The principal causes of end stage renal failure include diabetes and hypertension, and the effects of increasing age. As the incidence of diabetes and hypertension (which are both major risk factors) increase so does the number of people who develop renal complications. People with diabetes make up 16 per cent. of all new patients with end stage renal failure. Additionally people from ethnic minority groups are at greater risk of developing the disease and the number of patients being treated in these groups is rising as the ethnic population ages.

Warrington Primary Care Trust

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many applications were received for the post of Chairman of Warrington PCT from (a) Warrington, North constituency and (b) Warrington, South constituency; and what percentage of applicants from each constituency were interviewed.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 7 May 2002
	Ten applications were received, four of which were from candidates living in Warrington, North and six living in Warrington, South. All of the three candidates interviewed lived in Warrington, South.

Ambulances

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received from local authorities on the funding of the ambulance services; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 7 May 2002
	The Department is not aware of any representations that have been made by local authorities on the funding of the ambulance service.

Building Projects

Jane Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the building projects under construction; and what coolant will be used for the building services water chilling system for such projects.

Hazel Blears: A list of building schemes currently under construction and with a total cost of over £2.5 million, including VAT, is given in the table. Information on the coolant used in building services chilled water systems is not collected centrally. However, all refrigerants used in chilled water systems should comply with EC Regulation EC 2037–2000 which came into force on 1 October 2000. The NHS Estates Model Engineering Specification Rev 3 November 1997, MES C10 Refrigerant Plant—General advises the use of refrigerant R134a or 407c and its associated blends, which are ozone friendly.
	
		
			 NHS trust name  Scheme description 
		
		
			 University College London Hospitals Acute rationalisation 
			 The Dudley Group of Hospitals New DGH 
			 South Tees Acute Hospitals Single site development/centralisation of acute hospital services 
			 Bromley Hospitals New DGH 
			 Swindon and Marlborough New DGH for Swindon 
			 Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital Reconfiguration of services 
			 Royal Berkshire and Battle Hospitals Consolidation project 
			 King's Healthcare New block 
			 West Middlesex University Hospital Acute rationalisation 
			 St George's Hospital Neurol Cardiac Unit 
			 South Durham Health Care Redevelopment of Bishop Auckland General Hospital 
			 Leeds Community and MH Services Teaching Reprovision of mental health services, High Royds 
			 Royal United Hospital Bath Royal United Hospital Bath redevelopment 
			 Blackpool Victoria Hospital Blackpool Victoria Hospital—Phase 5 
			 Berkshire Healthcare Prospect Park mental health redevelopment 
			 Northumbria Health Care Redevelopment of Hexham General Hospital 
			 Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, Phase 4 
			 Basildon and Thurrock General Hospitals Centralisation of acute services 
			 Barnet PCT Edgware Community Hospital 
			 Bury Healthcare Fairfield reprovision 
			 Mayday Healthcare New ward block and day surgery unit 
			 Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals Maternity and acute development, Hull Royal Infirmary 
			 Isle of Wight Healthcare Development at St. Mary's, IOW 
			 Southampton University Hospitals Southampton General—cancer care relocation 
			 Northumbria Health Care Phase II Development of Wansbeck GH 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals Newcastle strategic review 
			 Surrey Hampshire Borders Farnham Community Resource Centre 
			 West London Mental Health Charing Cross Mental Health Unit 
			 West London Mental Health Security Fencing at Broadmoor 
			 Royston Buntingford and Bishop's Stortford PCT Herts and Essex Hospital 
			 Luton and Dunstable Hospitals St. Mary's Wing 
			 Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals Women's and Children's and Day Surgery Units 
			 United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust Façade renovation at Pilgrim Hospital 
			 Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Enfield Community Medium Secure Unit 
			 The Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals Radiology Unit 
			 East London and the City Mental Health Mental health reprovision 
			 North Staffordshire Hospital Critical Care/UGMS 
			 Nottinghamshire Healthcare New entry building at Rampton Hospital 
			 Thames Gateway Sheppey Community Hospital 
			 Cornwall Healthcare Bodmin Hospital 
			 Bromley Hospitals Managed Equipment Service 
			 Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospital Clinical Science extension 
			 Greenwich Healthcare Managed Equipment Service 
			 Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals Hull Royal Infirmary—maternity and acute development 
			 Leicester and Rutland Healthcare Loughborough Hospital Phase II 
			 Birmingham Heartlands and Solihull Medical wards development—Phase 2 
			 Nottingham City Hospital Staff residences 
			 Parkside Healthcare Kingsbury Hospital Learning Disabilities Reprovision 
			 West London Mental Health Sports and Visitors Centre at Broadmoor 
			 North Durham Healthcare Redevelopment of Shotley Bridge Hospital to Community Hospital 
			 Cornwall Healthcare Liskeard Community Hospital 
			 Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals Replacement of existing energy centre, RVI 
			 South Durham Health Care Sedgefield Community Hospital 
			 Queens Medical Centre Nottingham University Hospital A&E modernisation 
			 Wolverhampton Healthcare Penn redevelopment 
			 Princess Alexandra Hospital Staff accommodation 
			 Hammersmith Hospitals Critical Care Unit 
			 Parkside Healthcare Paddington Community Hospital Elderly Continuing Care 
			 Parkside Healthcare Princess Louise Hospital Elderly Continuing Care 
			 Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Trust Day Case Unit 
			 Mid Devon Primary Care New Centre for Health, Okehampton 
			 University Hospitals of Leicester Extensions and alterations to A&E Department 
			 South Downs Health Mill View Hospital Phase 2 
			 Cornwall Healthcare Western Mental Health, Cambourne and Redruth 
			 Royal Devon and Exeter Haematology Unit 
			 Bexley PCT Erith Health Centre 
			 Luton and Dunstable Hospitals Out-patient Department 
			 Local Health Partnerships Mental health unit 
			 Poole Hospitals Refurbishment of operating theatres 
			 Whittington Hospital Whittington Hospital—enabling works 
			 University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire Walsgrave Hospital—Radiotherapy Department 
			 Worthing and Southlands Hospitals Catering Service 
			 North West London Hospitals ACAD Equipment 
			 Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust Re-development of surgical facilities 
			 Mid-Sussex Residential accommodation 
			 West London Mental Health Security scheme at Broadmoor 
			 Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Radiology Department

Value for Money

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list, in percentage terms, the value for money changes in the operation of his Department in (a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01 and (c) 2001–02.

Hazel Blears: The 1998 public service agreement set targets for efficiency and other value for money gains in departmental operations for 1999–2000, 2000–01 and 2001–02. Information about progress on meeting this PSA target was published in the Department's 2001 departmental report, a copy of which is in the Library. This recorded that we were on course to deliver the target.

NHS Prescriptions

Angela Watkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was (a) the income from those NHS prescriptions which are paid for and (b) the cost of administering free NHS prescriptions during the last year for which figures are available.

Hazel Blears: Income from prescription charges in 2000–01 in respect of prescriptions written by general practitioners and dispensed in the community in England, was £389 million. Income from charges collected by national health service trusts is not separately identifiable.
	These costs are not identified separately within the administrative costs of the Department and NHS bodies in England.